Now if your feather wings tend to come out looking similar to
an explosion in a silo, ParnelliMN sends along this very helpful tip.
If your wings look like these, than this tip is for you.
First, what is wing "posting"?
Posting is the act of wrapping the bottom of a bunch of vertical
material in such a way as to gather the various fibers together into
a neat "bundle."
This is very common in forming the "post" for parachute patterns,
especially when such materials as calf tail are used for the post.
It will also improve the look of your Cahills, Hendricksons and other
dry flies that call for a flank type feather for a wing. It also helps
with the hackling of these patterns as the bothersome stray fibers of
the wing of the fly are gathered and thus out of the way.
Now to the actual operation!
Tie in your flank feathers or parachute post as before. Figure eight
the wing after dividing it into two equal parts. (If you are doing a
parachute, skip this step).
OK! Now that your figure eight's are complete, with your left hand
pick up your bodkin and hold it parallel and against the near wing.
(If you are doing parachutes you have only one wing so hold the bodkin
as directed against that wing, or "post").
Now with your left-hand place three somewhat loose, but not sloppy
wraps around the base of the wing, with each succeeding wrap working
it's way "up" the wing slightly.
Now remove the bodkin and grasp the tip of the wing with your left
hand and gently tighten the wraps by pulling with the right, which
is holding the bobbin.
Repeat the process on the far wing. (If you have a rotary vice this
is quite easy, if not, "practice makes perfect").
Now look at your wing. It has been neatly gathered and has the appearance
of a real wing, rather that a bunch of material with a mind all it's own.
Next time you see ParnelliMN in the "Chat Room" give him a big Thank
You for sharing this tip with us. I know we all appreciate tricks to
make our tying easier and better!
If you have any tips or techniques, send them along, most of this
material has been stolen from somebody, might as well steal your ideas
too!~ George E. Emanuel
(Chat Room Host Muddler)
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