Wheres the good stuff??
On the stick (with the eye) or strung in a bag? Some of the herl I got is just plain lousy. Mostly stem and hardly any herl.
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Wheres the good stuff??
On the stick (with the eye) or strung in a bag? Some of the herl I got is just plain lousy. Mostly stem and hardly any herl.
Norm - This could develop into an interesting discussion. I have a farmer friend who has a flock of peacocks. I gleaned maybe 50 tail feathers from his barnyard last month and so far I prefer the herl that is close to the eye of the feather. I wonder what the others will say.
Tim
Normand:
I buy the strung stuff and have no idea of where it comes from but it's cheap and I don't have TOO many complaints. I have a feeling it DOESN'T come from the area closest to the "eye".
I don't know what you're doing with your herl but I use it most of the time for flies where I can twist up three or more strands along with a piece of thread for extra durability. My point is that when I use that many strands; if one piece is less than desirable it really doesn't matter too much. At least to me and the fish.
I guess if you're tying presentation flies or really small stuff where that many strands may be an issue; superior quality may be more important.
I too have a friend who has peacocks and he gave me feathers...on these the herl a little away from the eye seems to be better....but overall I think they could be better so I'm thinking it depends on how the birds are fed, etc.
When I started tying I got quite a bit of strung herl and was disappointed in it's "fullness" once I knew what to look for....and I still haven't found any I really like...
I think it is on the Feathercraft web site that Ed Story is tauting his strung herl....but I'm afraid to order without seeing...
I'd like to know a good source too.
Hi Norm,
Many years ago I was part owner in a fly shop. We sold two types of peacock herl; regular & supreme. The only difference between the two (besides the price) was the supreme was held over a steaming kettle of water for 30-45 second per stalk. You won't believe what a shot of steam will do for peacock herl; on the stem or strung. Take care & ...
Tight Lines - Al Beatty
www.btsflyfishing.com
I have used both eyes and strung and haven't really noticed too much of a difference. It seems like you get more herl for the dollar using the stung, but I haven't really compared to two.
I use a lot of peacock! I tried the sticks but it was just too much of a pain. It may look a little more full but I feel the strung is just easier to work with and store. If you are worried about the "fullness" just add another strand.
I have gotten 2 bags of strung herl and also an eye from Feathercraft and have been pleasently surprised. I would reccomend if you couldn't find any locally!!
Thanks, G
I think we all need to take the herl we presently have and do what Al Beatty recommended and that was to give it a shot of steam and see what it does. I know that is what I am going to do. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
:wink:
I wonder if he isn't refering to stripped herl for bodies? if so, I know the best comes from the area of the eye.