Feather streamer wings

[Ray Kunz]

I've always found tying on the feather wings for streamers to be very frustrating. You try to keep the sets of feathers flat, parallel, vertical and keep the quills on top of the hook shank. But even when using a pinch wrap all seems to be lost when you tighten things down. I've been tying for a long time but have never been able to solve this problem. Comments please.

[Diane]

I've been tying for only a short time but yes, absolutely. Ditto. This is pretty much the hardest thing I've tried to do. Well, besides tying size 28 whatevers.

[ScottP]

Ray,

Here's a couple of different approaches: [url=http://globalflyfisher.com/patterns/simple_streamers/:7f571]http://globalflyfisher.com/patterns/simple_streamers/[/url:7f571] [url=http://www.flyfishersparadise.com/articles/old/olm11a.htm:7f571]http://www.flyfishersparadise.com/articles/old/olm11a.htm[/url:7f571]
I tend to leave a little fiber on the stem instead of stripping down to the quill - gives the thread something to grab hold of. If you keep firm grasp on the feathers with non-bobbin hand while you apply thread wraps (check to make sure they're not torquing), you should be okay. Hope this helps.

Regards,
ScottP

[halomidge]

Here's a couple of thoughts. Remember you're tying a round stem/shaft on a round tie in point, so anything you can do to flatten either or both will help. try smashing the feather shafts with pliers and/or flattening the tie in point with pliers. Always wrap forward... never wrap behind your first wrap on the feather shaft. Read through Ronn Lucas's Atlantic Tying Lessons ... there is a lot of good material handling tips in there.

I agree with "halomidge", check out the "Atlantic Salmon" Series by Ronn Lucas & Friends.

I hope to have the "Atlantic Salmon" Series, done for offering with the new FAOL Fly Pattern CD (formerly known as FOTW CD), sometime in September 2006.

~Parnelli

[This message has been edited by Steven H. McGarthwaite (edited 03 March 2006).]

[davpot]

I remember years ago I tied up a fairly plain streamer of green chenille and grizzly hackles and silver rib. But somehow I managed to mount the wings so that just pulling the fly thru the water made the wings to vibrate in the water like a "propeller"! Boy, did it catch fish! Never have duplicated the action since!! Some coincidence of materials and technique, but I dont know how I did it!!
I now fish muddlers, not traditional streamers! Comments?

[mcmutt]

Try Hillyard's book about Carrie Stevens. It goes into detail on how to tie wings in. I flatten the stems, and leave a bit of feather fiber for the thread to bite into. Another tip is to assemble the wing from saddle feathers down to the JC nail as one whole unit. It lessens fighting with rolling feathers, and severe frustration. Hope this helps. Jamie

------------------
Tight Lines & Big Smiles
Take A Kid Fishing!!!

[Ronn Lucas]

Try this [url=http://flyanglersonline.com/flytying/atlantic/streamers/demon.html:6767e]http://flyanglersonline.com/flytying/atlantic/streamers/demon.html[/url:6767e]

You should find the answers here and really, it is easy to mount the wings.

Happy Trails!
Ronn



[This message has been edited by Ronn Lucas (edited 06 March 2006).]

Ronn:

Today,I was just looking at the article "The Demon", a Rangeley Streamer pattern by Carrie Stevens. And was coming back to add to my previous posting.

Was going to show how you clip the wings to fit parallel to the hook shank...



And to also say that the portion that is clipped out on the bottom side of the wing, is covered by the shoulders hackle...



Since I learned this important part of the wing on streamers, I have had few problems...

Even like the idea of preassembly of the the wing halves, before attaching...



~Parnelli

[This message has been edited by Steven H. McGarthwaite (edited 07 March 2006).]

[Ronn Lucas]

Hi Parn,

Those illustrations are a little exaggerated for clairity. You get the idea anyway, I'm sure.

Happy Trails!
Ronn