In the thread on dry fly tails, there was quite a discussion on cdl - I just wondered if you use that, do you use single fibers, like microfibbetts, or a clump of fibers, like moose body, or a splayed clump?
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In the thread on dry fly tails, there was quite a discussion on cdl - I just wondered if you use that, do you use single fibers, like microfibbetts, or a clump of fibers, like moose body, or a splayed clump?
Hi herefishy,
Gretchen & I use a bundle of CDL fibers sized so they could slip into the eye of the hook. That seems to be a gage that works for us. We look forward to what other people use for their hackle-fiber tails. Take care & ...
Tight Lines - Gretchen & Al Beatty
www.btsflyfishing.com
I use about the same amount as Al. I use splayed tails on some patterns and CDL works great for those too.
I usually just use about 8 fibers, plus or minus a couple depending on the hook size. Thanks for that tip Al - I'll definitely use it next time I sit down to tie!
Cliff
I only use a few fibers, three to five and the flies seem to work fine. Splayed tails are also my preference.
REE
Karen, I'm with Al on this. If I want splayed I will usually take a wrap of thread under the tails then back around the hook.
Kelly.
Thanks for all the ideas - what situations would you use splayed or just bundled?
Dry flies I usually bundle tight for a high rider on the hackles, but I usually splay the tails on nymph patterns that I tie with CDL.
Kelly.
Here are some photos of Whiting CDL tailing paks, and a saddle:
Attachment 8661Attachment 8660Attachment 8659Attachment 8658
Attachment 8657
I generall use 6 to 14 fibers. For dries I bundle. For wets I tend to shorten the tail by at least a 3rd and splay.
I use the same amount I would use if I was using spade hackles for tails. Bigger the fly, the more fibers.
A long time ago someone(sorry that I can't give proper credit because I just don't recall who it was) suggested this technique to me. I've found it to be an accurate guide for the amount of hackle barbs, recognizing that you're using quality tailing hackle, needed for straight tails on dry flies. On 'splayed' tails or 'outrigger' tails the amount might be different.
"Get the barbs along the quill to stand almost pwerpendicular to the quill. Then peel off an amount of barbs equal to the gape of the hook".
Allan
Good idea, Allan, thanks.
Oh, just remembered who told me that tip. He's highly respected, for among other things, the product he 'invented', produced, which unfortunately is no longer available but highly prized.
Glen Overton - Overton's Wonder Wax.
Allan