Substitute for Ostrich herl

All about flies Fly Tying
1

Looking for a Substitute for Ostrich herl in gray.

Thanks,
paff

2

hi paff…if you have a partridge or pheasant or any other kind of gamebird skin, you can use the filoplumes…depends on what you want to use them for. Hope this helps…Jason
ooops…seems I used an incorrect term according to the flytying dictionary.Should have said “aftershaft” feathers.

[This message has been edited by Feenom (edited 27 February 2006).]

3

Jason,

I was going to tie the Too Simple Ray Charles fly and did not have ostrich herl.

Also, since I am new to tying wanted to know where the aftershaft feathers are? Is there a picture somewhere on the web I can find?

Thanks,
paff

4

paff…go to the 4th quarter 2000 fotw archives and look at Bear’s Hex Nymph…there is a picture of a partridge feather with the aftershaft still attached. It would be a little softer than ostrich, almost maraboulike. The stem is fragile near the tips so you might have to use 2 fetahers to wrap the hook. Might be worth a try!..Jason
btw…gray is the natural color of ostrich plumes

“There’s always room for one more wrap of hackle”

5

Hey Paff,

Just a suggestion. A couple of years
ago I was plundering through the Dollar
Store here and found small ostrich feather
dusters with grey feathers. I got one for
a dollar that should last me for many years.
Warm regards, Jim

6

Jim,

Great idea and even I can afford a dollar.

7

You might also try some small emu feathers.

Rick

8

Peacock on steroids?
Sorry, I couldn’t resist. Seriously, how about aftershafts or filoplumes(Yes, I know that term is not necessarily accurate).

Allan

9

Ostrich herl only cost $1.00. A bit less than Emu ($2.95). Why look for a substitute. Ed… [url=http://www.flytyingworld.com/shopping.htm:ec420]http://www.flytyingworld.com/shopping.htm[/url:ec420]

10

You could always use some clipped Marabou barbs, placed inside a dubbing loop.

Parnelli