A definition

[Ray Kunz]

In spey fly tying tutorial pics schlappen feathers are prescribed that look like full soft body feathers. I was under the impression that schlappen was only the very soft fluffy part at the base of a long saddle feather. I use this material a lot for wet fly tailing and beards. What is the correct terminology?

[Jayatwork]

To me Schlappen is long saddle feathers with 100% web and fine stems.

Jay

I thought that 'schlappen' was a fancy word for rooster tails. No?

Maybe Denny can qualify.

Allan

[Ray Kunz]

Should I maybe refer to the stuff I'm trying to define as "fluff" ?

[Jayatwork]

"Schlappen hackle: A long webby hackle about 24 cm long with a fine diameter stem (about0.012 inch) used for DeFeo-stye beards, Spey hackles, and streamer wings... the all web or nearly all web hackle found between the birds saddle and the tail feathers."

From The Fly Fishers Illustrated Dictionary by Darrel Martin.

[Ray Kunz]

Thanks Jay. So I guess my calling it the fuzzy base part of the longest saddle feathers is not too far off base.
Thanks again.

[LadyFisher]

the 'fluff' is chickabou, (like marabou) not schlappen.

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LadyFisher, Publisher of
FAOL