Peacock herl wing case

[Rick Z]

I have been tying up some nymph patterns, but I decided to use some peacock herl for the wing case.

Has anybody done this before(dumb ?) abnd how did it work?

Rick

[Hans Weilenmann]

Rick,

Most of my nymphs with wingcases use peacock herl for the purpose. The idea behind it is basically this:

- The most vulnerable moment in a nymph's life is just prior to hatching
- Regardless of the overall nymph color, close to hatching the winpads darken and start to bulge
- Peacock herl is just about the perfect material to simulate both the darkening and the bulging

Works for me

Hans W

[Joe Billingsley]

Do you reinforce the peacock with thread, use some other method, or do not reinforce it at all?
Joe

[Panman]

I have used both herl & swords with success. This year I tied some nymphs using a sword tail, herl body & thorax and a dyed diamond braid wingcase.. The diamond braid seems to do as good as the real thing.

Tim

[Hans Weilenmann]

Do you reinforce the peacock with thread, use some other method, or do not reinforce it at all?
Joe

No. Used in this manner, as wing case, the herl as-is proves to be very durable.

Hans W

[georgiared]

Can someone show some pictures? Seems like an interesting idea.

[Hans Weilenmann]

georgiared,

Here are two views:





Cheers,
Hans W

[Joe Billingsley]

Hans,
I can't tell from the pictures, but are you twisting the herls together if you're using more than one? I just have concerns about the trout's teeth cutting it and having it stick straight up.
Joe

[Hans Weilenmann]

Joe,

Herl strands run parallel and the material has proven pretty bulletproof over the twenty-odd seasons I have been using this material for the purpose. It is definitely more robust than wrapping peacock herl bodies.

Don't just take my word for it, though - just try for yourself

Cheers,
Hans W

[Joe Billingsley]

Hans,
I trust you completely! So you're not twisting them, just pulling them back over the thorax. Terrific!
Thanks,
Joe