Hornbergs: Pointy tail or not?

[quivira kid]

Traditionally, a Hornberg's wingtips are cemented into a point. But, I have seen them left natural too. What do you think looks better? I'm tying a dozen up for a swap and am undecided on what look I like better.

[CaseyP]

kid, waltryan's hornbergs that he tied for our color swap had pointy ends. you'll remember--and i'll never forget!--how awfully life-like and crawly-looking they were in the box when i opened it up. i vote for pointy ends.

[Panman]

QKid. Traditonally pointed, cemented wing tips? I always thought the other way around. Look at: http://mainefishingtoday.com/aroostookbasser/?m=200901

Also look in the Archive of old flies at this site.

Personally I think that the hornerg is a much nicer looking fly with the wing left natural.

Either way it should be a nice fly for a swap - your choice.

Tim

[Beaver]

I'm with Panman on this. I've never seen a Hornberg with pointy cemented tips. I've only seen them naturally tied. But that's just me. Good luck.

Beaver

[Normand]

i like them tie like this

http://www.invictaflies.us/Streamers/Hornberg%2088.htm

[quivira kid]

Thanks for the input... I'm doing these a touch different than a standard Hornberg. A bit shorter, different hook than normal.... I'll post some pics before I send them off.

Panman, I'm going to try some with wood duck and teal breast feathers after I get these done. They should look cool!

[kelkay]

I have never seen a Hornberg with pointy ends. I like them natural.

[wet fly guy]

I use lots of Hornbergs always do natural wings ends

wet

[George Emanuel]

You can certainly tie this fly either way. I usually tie it with the natural feather and no shaping on my part. I believe this is the way the pattern was originally tied. The feather will skinny down in the water and will assume a naturally tapered, 'pointy' tail if you will. I wonder if the others we see are not tied using some sort of adhesive to point the tail thus simulating in a display fly the appearance of the fly when wet.
I suppose if your purpose is the later, than pointy makes sense. If it is the former however, the water will take care of shaping the fly naturally.
Tight lines,
George

[Ray Kunz]

I would say that if you cement the feather tips it is, by definition, no longer a Hornberg.