Try some black CDL. Its long enough that(Kimmy Boals taught me this one) you can make one or too soft loops around it to hold it in place(and so the tail doesnt flair out) and then tie it down and still be okay. If you dont have any black CDL, i bought a bronze saddle about a month ago and I can send you some of it. Also, moose mane, non-dry fly hackles, ect. would work. Im not sure about Biots, but give it a try, might work out. Let me know how they turn out!
-Eddie Dillon
Tidewater Fly Co.
From: "Desert Eagle" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Reply-To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: [VFB] Tail Problem ?
Date: Thu, 20 Feb 2003 20:11:06 -0700
Evening folks,
Seams kind of quiet and thought I would toss out a problem I am having
and see if anyone can give me a fix for it.
I am working on my "Black Gnats" and have a problem. The recipe calls of
"Black Hackle Barbules" for the tail. Now I assume they are referring to
just pulling some of the side off a black hackle and using it. What I have
tried, ( "Not" getting into the few actual dry fly hackles I have), is not
at all satisfactory. Even on a #14 dry fly hook the finished product
collapses the tail and just "Mush's" it out. It will not stand straight. I
do have "some" pheasant hackle that is soft but at least it is a "Bit"
stiffer than this other stuff. Problem is, it isn't black and still not as
stiff as I would like.
I have gotten up to 12 segments, ( 16 on one), rope dubbing the body on
a # 14, dry fly hook and the hackle actually looks very good. "But" the tail
ruins the whole appearance.
Dose anyone have a suggestion as to how to maybe stiffen up the hackle,
or something else I can do to make these look as good as the rest of the
fly, or something else I can use ? I thought of Biot but don't have any
black in that either. I want these to be the best I have done yet, ( Except
for my "Prize" winning flies for the Rope Dub Swap).
Any suggestions or help would be appreciated.
Working smaller and smaller,
Jimi
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