Hey, Jim -
My opinion on Blue Eared is that it is a great (though shorter) sub
for heron. Actually, a WONDERFUL sub! The stems should be soaked in
water so they don't split, as they are very brittle, and the stem's
length is in the ballpark of 4-6" compared to the 10-12" of Heron, but
the actual barbs are great for reproducing the heron look both in and
out of the water. For reproducing the webbed Spey cock, it doesn't
come close, but then few people realize that heron was a substitute to
begin with... In any case, you want that flowing effect, and Blue-
Eared Pheasant gives that to great effect. The downside is having to
use two feathers for a fully- palmer a single fly, BUT the effect is
VERY nice. If you tie to catch fish, it's just what the doctor
ordered; if you tie to catch fishermen (display), the same applies; If
you tie for the historical value, I'd stick to the Schlappen. Depends
on your preference.
Tight lines,
Pete who is leaving to hopefully catch rock bass and smallmouth on my
newly- made 6'3" 2wt bamboo rod
