Wheres the good stuff??
On the stick (with the eye) or strung in a bag? Some of the herl I got is just plain lousy. Mostly stem and hardly any herl.
Norm - This could develop into an interesting discussion. I have a farmer friend who has a flock of peacocks. I gleaned maybe 50 tail feathers from his barnyard last month and so far I prefer the herl that is close to the eye of the feather. I wonder what the others will say.
Tim
Normand:
I buy the strung stuff and have no idea of where it comes from but it’s cheap and I don’t have TOO many complaints. I have a feeling it DOESN’T come from the area closest to the “eye”.
I don’t know what you’re doing with your herl but I use it most of the time for flies where I can twist up three or more strands along with a piece of thread for extra durability. My point is that when I use that many strands; if one piece is less than desirable it really doesn’t matter too much. At least to me and the fish.
I guess if you’re tying presentation flies or really small stuff where that many strands may be an issue; superior quality may be more important.
I too have a friend who has peacocks and he gave me feathers…on these the herl a little away from the eye seems to be better…but overall I think they could be better so I’m thinking it depends on how the birds are fed, etc.
When I started tying I got quite a bit of strung herl and was disappointed in it’s “fullness” once I knew what to look for…and I still haven’t found any I really like…
I think it is on the Feathercraft web site that Ed Story is tauting his strung herl…but I’m afraid to order without seeing…
I’d like to know a good source too.
Hi Norm,
Many years ago I was part owner in a fly shop. We sold two types of peacock herl; regular & supreme. The only difference between the two (besides the price) was the supreme was held over a steaming kettle of water for 30-45 second per stalk. You won’t believe what a shot of steam will do for peacock herl; on the stem or strung. Take care & …
Tight Lines - Al Beatty
www.btsflyfishing.com
I have used both eyes and strung and haven’t really noticed too much of a difference. It seems like you get more herl for the dollar using the stung, but I haven’t really compared to two.
I use a lot of peacock! I tried the sticks but it was just too much of a pain. It may look a little more full but I feel the strung is just easier to work with and store. If you are worried about the “fullness” just add another strand.
I have gotten 2 bags of strung herl and also an eye from Feathercraft and have been pleasently surprised. I would reccomend if you couldn’t find any locally!!
Thanks, G
I think we all need to take the herl we presently have and do what Al Beatty recommended and that was to give it a shot of steam and see what it does. I know that is what I am going to do. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
I wonder if he isn’t refering to stripped herl for bodies? if so, I know the best comes from the area of the eye.
The steam treatment works great. Some time back I posted a thread here on the bb looking for peacock herl subsitute as the herl I have been finding lately at the shops have not looked all that good. It finally dawned on me that I read an article or thread here regarding the use of steam to revive materials. About a month ago I pulled out of storage my Norelco travel steamer and tried it on a strung of herl I bought that was looking so so. The steam put the life back into the herl. 
I’m going to try the steam also…and compare it to what I’ve been doing that does help …that is to stroke the herl between my fingers against the grain multiple times…it does help.
As far as just use more herl…I find …[and it may be my poor technique]…that twisted multiple herl show the quill more.
While you have the steamer out, steam some of your chenille. I have read that you will be amazed at what steam will do for your chenille. I have been going to try it and of course, never did.
Warren , I do it to all my chenille now and it makes a big difference…you should do it… it’s worth the effort…especially on the chenille wrapped on cards.
Yea Warren steam and chenille are fabulous. Been Steaming chenille for about 2 years now. Most was bought on ebay and it looked like crap. Steamed it and walaw it look good as new. Same with peacock herl. Little steam works wonders.
I think the original question is answered so maybe H will forgive me if I ask…
Any of you dubbing brush people figured out yet how to do peacock herl in the dubbing brush?..I don’t mean doing the dubbing loop thing while tying…
Have not used peacock herl in years, i discover peacock dubbing. Easy to work with and looks great.
Nick, I hear you…and maybe feel the same…but what about that mystical quality that is ascribed to peacock :? :? :?