Woody and Mallard flank

I have come to the conclusion that there is a technique for these feathers that I have yet to master. I didn't feel good yesterday and my Queen didn't feel good today, so I got some bench time today while we layed around and commiserated. I was given many of these feathers a few years back and just haven't spent much time with them, and I think it shows. Everyone else' look smooth and uniform and mine........Don't! Still haven't got the p/p setup and that doesn't help either. The small brownish ones worked better for me than the others, and the smaller ones are 1/48. I think that they will do well, it was a winner color when I was in TN. The bigger ones with the spinner are 1/32 and had the collar removed for this tie. One of the small ones I left the collar on and just removed the barb and I think it looks fuller and used a lot less thread. I don't think the fish will much care but time will tell. I think that the spinners will be awesome when I drop them in the branches of some of my local blowdowns. Thanks for looking and please give me any and all input to get me on the right path......Skeet

I like them - they'd hunt here

Talk to junglejim - I like the way he does the larger flank feathers, he cuts out the center and takes barbs from both sides. I tye smaller jigs and do it different - use smaller feathers and tye in the hole thing.
Think that gadwall flank feathers are larger than the mallard flank feathers. Have to run a post in the personal classified ads for some of both - running out quick.
Haven't tried it - feathers that size could probably be tied in hackle style toward the back and spun..... Or cut and tye on vees.
Leave the body (jig is balanced for FnF). Trim and slightly flatten the barbs (kind of shaping a body) before you tye over them. For Belly Spinners you have to trim if you attach the swivel to the hook. You can tye on a swivel using a piece of mono or wire to form a loop. That will help if you are tying chenille bodies as well.

Thanks Sonny. I'm my worst critic. I've seen a few ideas for the tailspins and will get to those sooner than I get the p/p dug out probably. I have about as many feathers as I can find a place to put them away now so I won't be looking for any more. Had a gallon bag of cathedrals that I gave away, never used and no space. I thought about using the feather differently like you say Jim does them, have to try it next time out. Thanks for the input. I showed up at the other site too for the first time in many years.

Looking good. Back dragging the flank over the back of scissors will take the curve out and make them lay down better. I also cut out the center then use the barbs for filling in the tails but I do a little different than Jim. After cutting the center (top) to length I then cut the rest of the flank into V's close to 1/4'' sections. Then I tie in the length of flank needed for fill-ins. This jig has the chenille body but the thread necks I tie the same way.

Attachment 302931

Thanks Stump. I have to get some more bench time soon.

Thosell catch fish when nothing else will. They are beautiful. I liked the idea of a blade in muddy water, but I never utilize it. And in SELA, water is muddy A LOT.
I have a few molds, I have blades, I think I'm just stubborn.
REALLY great ties.


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Love the Duck hackle to be sure, nice jigs buddy! I have a good bit and for no real reason I just have not done much with it, but am thinking lately that I want to do more, so we see.

Skip

Thanks for the Kudos guys. I have to sit and relax some and remember to tie different ways and see which one I like best. Hopefully I'll get to some of that this weekend but with the Daughter and Granddaughter here it's lookin kinda dicey. Gettin em wet wouldn't be bad either but we're at day 6 of rain every day. Y'all cross your fingers I can catch a break in the weather.

Swear by the blades right now Adam. Water here is clear but loaded with algae and debris from rising water. Slow trolling deep water and finding big fish using Willow and Colorado blades. Not sure if it's vibration or flash, don't care, it's working.

Kids are always funner then fishing Tim, and when you get them together - watch out!! Dodging wind right now - going to pour badly needed jigs today.