Peacock Herl

[MarkF]

First lemme say I do not get to post much here but I love y'alls outlook on fly tying. Seems no one takes themselves too seriously, which is good, cause if you saw my flies you would understand true humility.

My Question: I am tying 18 and 20 Chrinomides (sp) that have a little herl collar just behind the bead. My herl is 'Peacock Herl, Strung, 1/4 oz'. The problem is that the strands are so brittle. It is nearly impossible to wrap one and have it not break.

Is there a technique to wrap herl? Or, is there a way to prep herl so it is not brittle?

[Quade]

I have had the same problem. I am by no means an expert, but i just try not to pull so hard on the herl as it is very delicate. Other than that I have clue how to solve the problem. Also, there is a group under community called Texas Flies that are a bunch of us from Texas. Stop by and say hi sometime.

[ScottP]

You could try cutting back the first inch of the herl, some time tips are more fragile. When I wrap multiple herls for larger flies, I tie them in, twist them around the tying thread and wrap (thread re-enforces the peacock); this also works for single herl on smaller flies, but you have to be a bit more gentle. You may have some older herl that has dried out and needs to be replaced. You could also skip herl and use synthetic dubbing in peacock color (Arizona, Ice Dub, etc) - the stuff works but I still think nothing beats real peacock. Hope this helps.

Regards,
Scott

[David L]

Mark,

Try to find whole pecock tale feathers at a craft store. Use the small thinner hearl close to the bottom of the feather. That seams to work for me with very small flies.

[waltryan]

I agree with ScottP about wrapping the herl and the threasd. On any peocock herl, even a single strand, I tie in the herl then grab the herl and the thread ind twist them together almost like a dubbing loop and wrap that on the hook. You might also try overwrapping the herl with the tying thread.

[Extremely Low Budget FF]

I seem to have this problem more with feathers that I have had for a few years.

I also wrap the herl around my tying thread. The thread is barely noticable if you use 08 thread.

Ed

[kglissmeyer]

I quit using "strung" or packaged herl because it was so brittle, and only use that which comes off of the complete feather. I - for most applications - will tie in two to three herls by the tips after cutting off the first half-inch or so, then bring my tying thread down equal to the butts and grasp all three with my electronics "hackle" pliers, bring the thread back to the hook, wrap a couple of turns to the eye and then twist the pliers counter-clockwise until I have a nice herl "rope". I wind this on the hook and tie it off. Works perfect every time and is much sturdier than just wrapping the herl alone.
Just my 2-cents.

Kelly.

[Ken Y]

The whole feathers are way better than the packaged herls. I think that the tying companies get the strung herls from damaged or weak feathers.

[alra195]

My experience has been pretty good with strung herl. While I've had the occasional weak piece that breaks, it's been more the exception rather than the rule. I'm still working on the end of a 1/4 oz pack that I know is close to 5 years old. ScottP's advise about trimming the ends is the only way to go. This seems to take care of the weakest part of the herl by removing it. I've not wrapped thread with the herl, as I've had no particular issues with it breaking. I will counter wrap herl bodies on flies with the tag end of thread to strenghten them from the cutting action of fish teeth.

As far a small herl collars goes, I don't do too many of these, but I'd be inclined to use at least two peices of herl and twist them together. I like the twisted herl better and this may also impart additional strength, even without the addition of thread.

As with most things in fly tying, you'll ultimately have to go with what works best for you.

[eaustin]

Let the herl slide through your fingers as you wind WITH YOUR FINGERS. Don't use hackle pliers. Never directly pull on the herl, always let it slip. Use two hands and never grasp it tightly. You'll be able to wind virtually anything and not break it, unless it is just not pliable enough. Some stripped quills can be brittle, along with some biots, and those you have to soak. I've never had a problem with herl though.
Eric