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?
coq de leon tails
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
Happiness is wading boots that never have a chance to dry out.
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.
Tight Lines,
Kelly.
"There will be days when the fishing is better than one's most optimistic forecast, others when it is far worse. Either is a gain over just staying home."
Roderick Haig-Brown, "Fisherman's Spring"
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
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