I have been looking at the excellent FOW.
A very useful pattern. An interesting point, at least to me, arose in my mind.
Here in the UK a very often recommended method of trimming a marabou tail, is not using scissors but using the thumb-nail against the ball of the fore-finger.
There is a difference in appearance and I have generally used this method myself.
Any opinions???
Donald,
I tear the marabou on the wing of the Kauffman Damsel nymph, gives a nice shaggy appearance. I’d imagine it would work for the Myakka Minnow, although I’m all for speed and scissors are quicker for me. I may tie some each way and see if the fish have a preference.
Regards,
Scott
I do it on wings as well.
Why take the tips off at all? Why not tie the marabou in shorter and maintain the motion of the wispy tips.
Of course, maybe you don’t want much motion in the tail of a minnow imitation.
Glad you asked the question, Donald. It’s something I have long thought was worth discussing.
Perhaps to give a look of an injuried or weak prey.
On my jigs that have marabou tails I just pull off and stack them until I have enough, then I pinch them together and cut off the end where I tore them off to get the length I want. This way I usually control how much I use and they still have a nice tapered look.
They have been catching lots of crappie for me even if I keep them on the long side and if thinning is needed then you can just pull off what you want to.
Skip
While I’ve never tried it with marabou, I do use thinning shears instead of scissors to get an uneven “cut” on materials. A coarse pair seem to work best for me.
That is what I do - I think the fly looks more natural than if it is trimmed.