Mayer's Mini Leech

[tctrout]

For those of you that enjoy fly fishing for carp and trout, here's a great (and fast!) pattern. This is one by Landon Mayer meant to imitate smaller leeches.

If anyone has any suggestions on how to get ostrich herl that flares more, I would love to know. I have bought a lot over the years, but as you'll see in the video, that's the herl with the largest diameter I have in my materials.

[youtube=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4oH5wJDmwkg[/youtube]

TC

 

[FGSIII]

after shaft feathers instead of herl. Similar to the head on the Gartside Sparrow.

 

[tctrout]

Thanks for the comment, and I just saw the feathers you were talking about (pheasant) tied on a Gartside pattern. They definitely have more of the look and movement I'm looking for; thanks!

TC

FGSIII wrote:
after shaft feathers instead of herl. Similar to the head on the Gartside Sparrow.

 

[dc410]

FGSIII wrote:
after shaft feathers instead of herl. Similar to the head on the Gartside Sparrow.

Tim,

+1 on the aftershaft feathers. I've been tying some Gartside Sparrows this past week. I usually tie the heads with the traditional pheasant aftershaft (philo) feathers which are usually gray or dun colored. In looking for some different color variations I tried some of the aftershaft feathers found on the underside some died olive strung rooster saddles. I have found there to be a lot of variability in these feathers. They are generally not as long as the pheasant philos but seem to be a bit more durable and some have a bit longer and more feathery fibers. If your looking for a particular color, increased movement or breathing of the material on your leech collars, strung saddle aftershaft feathers may be worth a try. You can always trim them to your desired length if they seem to long. I don't think they would lose much action by trimming some of their tips.

 

[billfrech]

Where does one find aftershaft or philo feathers? I have poked around the internet, but I must be using the wrong term, I cannot find any for purchase.

 

[dc410]

billfrech wrote:
Where does one find aftershaft or philo feathers? I have poked around the internet, but I must be using the wrong term, I cannot find any for purchase.

Do a google search for "aftershaft feather" and click on the images. They are found on the underside of body feathers on gamebirds. Pluck a pheasant back feather off and turn it over. On the underside you will find an aftershaft feather attached to the main feather near the base of the stem. I have never seen them sold seperately where tying materials are sold. I have a small zip lock bag that I put all aftershaft feathers in off of feathers that I used while tying. I save them all (big or small in any color) just in case I need them later. I'm sure much of the time they are thrown out with the waste.

 

[tctrout]

Thanks for the suggestions, and I'll definitely be checking those out! Thanks again,

Tim