I have been tying up some nymph patterns, but I decided to use some peacock herl for the wing case.
Has anybody done this before(dumb ?) abnd how did it work?
Rick
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I have been tying up some nymph patterns, but I decided to use some peacock herl for the wing case.
Has anybody done this before(dumb ?) abnd how did it work?
Rick
Rick,
Most of my nymphs with wingcases use peacock herl for the purpose. The idea behind it is basically this:
- The most vulnerable moment in a nymph's life is just prior to hatching
- Regardless of the overall nymph color, close to hatching the winpads darken and start to bulge
- Peacock herl is just about the perfect material to simulate both the darkening and the bulging
Works for me ;-)
Hans W
Do you reinforce the peacock with thread, use some other method, or do not reinforce it at all?
Joe
I have used both herl & swords with success. This year I tied some nymphs using a sword tail, herl body & thorax and a dyed diamond braid wingcase.. The diamond braid seems to do as good as the real thing.
Tim
No. Used in this manner, as wing case, the herl as-is proves to be very durable.Quote:
Originally Posted by Joe Billingsley
Hans W
Can someone show some pictures? Seems like an interesting idea.
georgiared,
Here are two views:
http://www.danica.com/flytier/hweile...nymph_side.jpg
http://www.danica.com/flytier/hweile..._nymph_top.jpg
Cheers,
Hans W
Hans,
I can't tell from the pictures, but are you twisting the herls together if you're using more than one? I just have concerns about the trout's teeth cutting it and having it stick straight up.
Joe
Joe,
Herl strands run parallel and the material has proven pretty bulletproof over the twenty-odd seasons I have been using this material for the purpose. It is definitely more robust than wrapping peacock herl bodies.
Don't just take my word for it, though - just try for yourself ;-)
Cheers,
Hans W
Hans,
I trust you completely! So you're not twisting them, just pulling them back over the thorax. Terrific!
Thanks,
Joe