My sincere thanks to "Old Rupe" who sent a wonderful
old book to me for use especially in this section.
The book is Professional Fly Tying, Spinning
and Tackel Making Manual and Manufacturers Guide
written and illustrated by George Leonard Herter.
(Special Revised Fourteenth Edition, 1961.)
For those not familiar with George Herter or the Herter
Company, you missed one of the most prolific and interesting
writers ever. The Herters Catalogs were a work of art and
imagination.
The following is from the book:
"These bone streamers are probably among the oldest
types of fishing lures used on this continent. Indians
in many parts of North America were familiar with them,
and the first white settlers picked this knowledge from
the Indians. Huge quantities of trout, bass, walleyed
pike and northern pike have been taken on them and they
are still effective at times. These bone streamers were
also used a great deal on salt water fish with excellent
results. They still are one of the deadliest of lures
for blues and are also excellent for striped bass, tuna,
bonito and dolphins.
In North Carolina, these bone streamers are especially
well known today and are called "The Turkey Bone."
A bone streamer is made as follows. Take a bone from the
leg or wing of such birds as a turkey, hawk, owl or grouse,
and remove all traces of meat. Poke out the marrow as
much as possible. The bone then is allowed to bleach for
a short time in the sun until it is thoroughly dry. The
bone can be aywhere from 2/16 to 3/8 of an inch in diameter,
depending on the size fish you are after. Cut off the length
of bone from 3/4 of an inch to as long as 2 1/2 inches,
depending on the size of fish you are after. Slip the
piece of bone onto a long shanked hook, and your lure is
made.
When such a streamer is drawn through the water, a fan-like bunch
of bubbles continually leaves the end of the bone. Although
these bone streamers are effective just as they are, a few
small hackle feathers or a little hair tied onto the outside
of the bone increases their effictiveness. Occasionally
a piece of bone will not bubble in such a case throw it away
and try another piece."
I can't help but wonder if the effect of using a
tube fly produces the same bubble pattern.
~ DLB
Credits: Text and drawing from
Professional Fly Tying, Spinning
and Tackel Making Manual and Manufacturers Guide
written and illustrated by George Leonard Herter.
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