Clean Peacock Herl

[Jim Sentell]

I use Peacock Herl in a lot of flies I tie and get aggravated when I see a pattern being tied on YouTube or elsewhere. The Peacock Herl looks so brilliant and colorful. Mine is sort of dull looking, even in the sunlight.

While perusing a well-known fly shop's catalog, I noticed a statement in the description of their Peacock Herl, "we clean all our herl for you before we send it out..blah, blah..."

Have any of you heard of "cleaning peacock herl" and if so, how do you do it?

Thanks, Jim

[ducksterman]

Jim, short answer ...No...

However there is the green herl and then there is the bronze with some variations in between...perhaps yours is not the brilliant green ...the bronze does look a little duller....at least mine does....

I just wish I had fuller herl...mine [and I've got a lot] isn't that nice full stuff....

[popperfly]

Another short answer,

I have purchased brilliant green herl from our local fly shop and it has been dyed more of a brilliant green and I really like it.

[kglissmeyer]

Just a thought, if you are buying the strung or packaged herl and not the actual feather 'stick' then the herls tend to be of a lesser quality and more dull than when cut straight from the original feather. I only use herl I cut from the tail feather and I find a tremendous variety of size and quality and can choose just the ones I want to buy. Also, check with your craft and decorating stores as well as thrift shops where you will find not only peacock, but some other exotic feathers you may find useful.

Kelly.

[narcodog]

As was stated buy the sticks more better quality. I have found strung is inferior in that it breaks easily, color not consistent and the quill thickness is also not consistent. Strung might be cheaper but you will throw more away and get more aggravated with it breaking.

[kelkay]

I agree about the herl. I have not found any good strung herl at all. It is very poor quality for the most part.

[Panman]

I use Peacock Herl in a lot of flies I tie and get aggravated when I see a pattern being tied on YouTube or elsewhere. The Peacock Herl looks so brilliant and colorful. Mine is sort of dull looking, even in the sunlight.

While perusing a well-known fly shop's catalog, I noticed a statement in the description of their Peacock Herl, "we clean all our herl for you before we send it out..blah, blah..."

Have any of you heard of "cleaning peacock herl" and if so, how do you do it?

Thanks, Jim

Jim: It appears that you may have stumped FAOL's herl experts (lol). Could you query the "well known fly shop" and ask them? If you find out I would like to know and I would guess others would also.

Thanks, Tim

[Martin McFly]

Hey Jim,
A good friend of mine who lives in AZ has a little farm and she has peacocks, she has given me some feathers and they do look nice and bright. I can gladly share with you (free of course), let me know.
Thanks

[Jim Sentell]

Thanks everyone for the information. I, and several of you, now have a better understanding of Peacock Herl.

Martin: thank you so much for the generous offer, that's very kind.

I was keeping the identity of the shop out as we have sponsors that I'm sure carry herl and we should patronize; but, .........shame the threads don't stay on track.

Jim

[Steven]

Somewhat embarassing, but the best strung herl that I have ever use, by far, came from Bass Pro Shops.