Petitjean's Magic Tool Problems

All about flies Fly Tying
1

I’m having a couple of problems with it.

  1. I can find very few CDC feathers long enough to extend out over the ends of even the smallest “table clip”. There are very few of even Petitjean’s CDC feathers or Trouthunter CDC feathers that are long enough, and they are the two best I’ve ever purchased.
  2. If I do find a feather long enough, when I pull down on the ends to put them in the table clip the feather tip end breaks off.
    What am I missing here? What am I doing wrong?

Thanks,
Joe

2

Joe,

Most of the CDC I have are shorts, too. I use a piece of wire long enough to extend well beyond the ends of the table, and pull it down to trap the CDC, then pull the wire out through the bottom, leaving the CDC behind with the fibers sticking up, ready for the clip. Does that make sense?

Regards,
Scott

3

Hi Joe,
It is very unusual to not find long enough feathers in Marc’s CdC. I’m surprised that you can’t find them. I’d get in touch with Marc. Sure he’ll sort it out.

As for your second question use a length of wire. Place the CdC on the “Table”, place the wire over and pull that down. You can then slide the wire out of one end. (You could use thread or floss in place of the wire).

Cheers,
A.

4

Scott and Alan,

That makes sense, but does the wire pull the feather down evenly?

Thanks,
Joe

5

Joe,

Usually; I try to make it a quick, firm snap and that seems to work pretty well.

Regards,
Scott

6

Joe,
Do you have all three sizes of the tool?
I usually only use the smallest one.

7

Byron,

I have all three. The smallest is still too long for most of my feathers.

Joe

8

Using the wire worked great. Thanks!

Joe

9

Joe,

Glad it worked, although I was considering making a low-ball offer to take all that “useless” CDC off your hands :wink:

Regards,
Scott