OK, after the last several weeks we have managed to get all of the
flu removed from our quills. We have softened them so we can apply
them to the hook. Now we are on the stream, a large brown trout has
taken our quill-bodied fly and the battle is on!
Gee, as great as the above scenario sounds, it can have a down side.
When the battle is finally over and you bring that big old trout to hand,
what is your fly going to look like? Will it be all chewed up with the
quill frayed and torn, and not of further use?
It need not be a one fish fly! Though many of us would be happy to tie
one fly for each fish we catch. A large volume of flies can be tied in a
very short time.
While among the most effective of patterns, flies with quill bodies just
are not very durable. But as usual we can improve on that minor
shortcoming.
Before you wrap your quill forward over your thread base on the hook,
apply a coat of Daves Fleximent to the thread, and then wrap the body.
Smooth the excess so that it doesn't create unsightly lumps in the body.
After the Fleximent has dried you can coat the quill with glossy cement
or nail polish if you like, which will further enhance the durability of the
fly. If you are going to do this, it is a good idea to tie up a bunch of
bodies and allow them to dry thoroughly before proceeding to finish
the fly with hackles and wings.
Once finished a quill bodied fly encased as it were in its clear armor shell
is nearly indestructible. You will get a lot of fish with a single fly, where
previously you got one, or even none, before the fly came apart.
Now, somebody hand me my Kevlar hackle and titanium wings!
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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