Last night, I soaked the tails with conditioner in hot/warm water for hours. Then I tried splitting with a # 15 blade. Really not happy with the outcome. Small sections. Too little or too much stem. Anybody have a better way?
Why are you splitting them?
I’m curious as well.
Never tried to do that.
Buddy
That’s at least three of us:confused:
Make it 4???
Ok, 5.
When I read the subject I thought it was referring to splitting them as you tie them on, like on mayfly patterns. But the conditioner thing threw me for a loop.
KOA-1You’ve kept us in suspence long enough. What are you referring to???
I’ve tried that; but couldn’t get the pheasant to hold still long enough.
Ok, 6.
I can’t see why you would want to split the Pheasant tail?
But maybe try a smaller blade and keep more focus on getting an even split ?
Sorry, seeing patients. Tying Intruder by Ed Ward.
Can I get in line? #6
Just got a tail clump last night at my club meeting. I don’t know of any pattern that calls for splitting a quill.
Curious Joe
Here’s what he is referring to: http://www.speypages.com/speyclave/showthread.php?t=22464
The recipe calls for splitting an entire pheasant feather so that it can be wrapped as hackle. My question is, why not just strip the barbules off of one side and then wrap that baby?
interesting!
Thanks for the link!
I have to admit I was curious to so I did a search on Google and found the recipe for the Intruder by Ed Ward: Look at Tying Note 1 for your answers!
Here are the instructions for the Intruder - have fun!
The Intruder
by Ed Ward
Hook: I tie this on a tube - usually 21/2 - 3? long and use a short-Shanked Partridge Nordic Single Spey #4
Ed uses quite a complicated but ingenious method. The fly itself is tied on a straightened and cut-off 2/0 Mustad 36890 and the trailer hook is a #1 or 2 Diachii 2451. He then ties a loop of 25lb mono 1/4? from the tip of the hook. Tie in oval gold tinsel and take 2 wraps in back of the loop and 1 in front (this flares the loop out).
Rear hackle: Tie in a long, soft, black hackle and take 3 wraps
Feelers: Tie in 9 strands of dyed orange ostrich plume on each side of the fly. Tie in dyed orange ringneck pheasant tail and take 3 or 4 turns.
Body: Tie in a long skinny badger hackle and leave hanging. Tie in burnt orange chenille and wrap forward to within 1/2? of the eye of the hook. Wind the badger hackle forward ending with 3 successive turns at the point at where the chenille ends. Spin a small clump of black deerhair (this flares the front hackle) trim butts flush with the shank. Tie in orange ringneck pheasant tail and take 3 or 4 turns.
Shell: Tie in 2 cree hackles on each side of the shank for ?wings.? Tie in dyed orange guinea hackle and take 4 or 5 turns.
Head: Tie in a small ball of black chenille. Tie in lead eyes. Whip finish. Cover head with Aquaseal thinned with Cotol.
Tying note 1: Ringneck pheasant tails are split down the stem with a single-edge razor, so they can be wrapped as a hackle. Soaking the tail for 10 minutes in warm water can aid in the splitting and wrapping process. Now I soak my tails in water with a dollop of hair conditioner in it overnight. Then I start at the top and strip the fibres from each side of the stem - it works great - the conditioner keeps the feather supple enough to wrap even after it is dry.
Tying note 2: Other species of pheasant tail produce different appearances. Amherst is striking and I have used Silver pheasant.
Tying note 3: Try any colour combinations you like!
Soak for a period of time. Put a nick at the tip of the stem, on a side with the barbules, and peel down. Most often the stem will peel down along with the barbules.
Deezel
I am not familiar with that pattern, but I did find this on YouTube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PdbchgEUw0
No split pheasant tail though. Pretty wicked looking fly.
This has got me curios too, I have never seen in any books or video’s that you can split PT - what is the purpose of it and what do you use them for when split?
curious as well
Jeanne
Jmeyerc,
Wild One’s link will provide you with the info you want. Go to post #3 in the link.
Surprised that I am the only one splitting pheasant tails. A 24 hr soak was very helpful.