Pheasant Tails

[tracker12]

I was tying up a few Hares Ears Nymphs last night and was using strands from a Pheasant tail to cover over the throrax and create legs. Copying one I saw on Youtube done by Dave McPhail. My tips seem a little soft and do not want to stay back as easily as he does it on the video. All wild birds feathers different then what you can buy at the fly shop.

 

[gfen]

Confused, what does "stay back" mean?

If I understand, you're saying they cant forward, but are of a soft and supple nature? You win. That adds movement. Movement suggests life. Life suggests food. Food suggests mouth.

 

[tracker12]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjy93L17uuY&feature=player_embedded

This is the fly I was trying to replicate. When I try to sweep the tips back to ty them in they just did not move to the side and stay there for me very well. I'm sure it was more technique than material.

 

[gfen]

So yours stick further to the sides/front?

Again, don't sweat it. That's probably an advantage as they'll move more in the water rather than be pinned to the side of the fly. Remember, sometimes the worst ties can catch the best fish, and some people roundly believe a torn up fly outfishes a pretty little creation out of a magazine.

 

[MKern]

There are times that sticking out to the sides is better, but for tying purposes it does look better to angle back.

Yours probably stick out too much because of how close they are to the thorax, or the size of your thorax.

Also a larger head or how you wrap your thread at the head can either cause this or eliminate this.


Your side question about PT's being different and the answer is yes.
I prefer stocked/raised birds compared to wild birds. Also the feathers are drastically different the further back the feather comes from on the tail. The main or 1st feather is typically symetrical, while the others will have "good" fibers on one side of the feather, and "crappier" ones on the other. I say this because they can still be used for legs and wing cases, but make terrible bodies.
The further back you go in the tail clump, the worse they get, IMO.

I try and buy just the first feather. Heck, why not they are the same price usually.

 

[tracker12]

Well we will see in the morning. Heading up to fish the Gun Powder and Little Falls in MD.

 

[Heritage-Angler]

Tony - Here's the best tutorial I've seen on how to tie the perfect pheasant tail. Look at all the steps - way OCD.

http://www.troutflies.com/tutorials/pt/index.shtml

 

[FrequentTyer]

That is a fantastic tutorial H-A. It really details a lot of good fundamentals. I have been using Charlie Craven's method and while it is not as traditional it does make a nicer profile IMHO and is a simpler fly to tie. It's worth a look:
http://www.charliesflyboxinc.com/flybox/details.cfm?parentID=71

 

[jdaddy]

Ed that site is awesome. We will be using this with an overhead projector in our tying classes! Biot and parachute details are great. Thanks.