I sure could use a little help

Fly Patterns
1

Here is the thing, I use a lot of neck hackle on my jigs for tails and I also like the longer neck hackle because of what I do with the rest of it. So lots of it comes with a hook right or curve left, bent one way or the other to the side. Is there a simple and easy way to get them back straight???

I know it will straighten out in the water so it is purely a cosmetic fix I am looking for and since I sell jigs I would like for them to not have a left or right curve.

Any help would be appreciated.

Skip

2

I straighten feathers fr other craft projects with an iron or bare light bulb. The quill is what you need to heat. You can touch it right to the bulb. Hold straight while it cools.

I do this with large turkey wing and tail feathers so a neck feather should go pretty easily.

3

You can steam them.

4

I have used a regular flat iron to straighten streamer feathers. Spray the feather with a little water AFTER removing it from the skin, lay it down on the inoning board with the concave side down, place the hot iron on top of the feather and while pressing down, slowly pull the feather out by pulling on the stem in an upward direction.
This also works on mallard breast feathers in straightening them for dry fly wings.
Good luck and Happy New Year.

5

Thanks for the tips and I will give them a try. I just need to move them a little left or right where they bend to the side.

Thanks again,

Skip

6

Ray’s method will still work. Just pull the stem in the direction it takes to straighten the feather.

Light bulb, steam, iron, I’ve used all and they all work.

7

Hmmmm … what is this iron thing of which you speak?:rolleyes:

8

Yep…steam and place between two hardback books !!!

9

In this house, it is something used as a heat source for various crafting techniques.

:lol:

10

Hmmmmm…what is this hardbak book of wich you speek?