Peacock Sword Feathers

Peacock herl is one of the most popular fly tying materials in the world. It is known for its durability, iridescence, and ability to imitate a wide variety of aquatic insects. Peacock herl can be used to tie a variety of flies, including streamers, nymphs, wet flies, and dry flies.

Choosing a Peacock Sword Feathers for Fly Tying

When choosing peacock herl for fly tying, it is important to select feathers that are in good condition and have the desired color and pattern. The feathers should be free of breaks or splits, and the barbs should be evenly spaced and well-aligned. Peacock herl is typically sold by the feather, so it is important to purchase enough feathers to tie the number of flies that you need.

Preparing Peacock Swords for Fly Tying

Before using peacock herl in fly tying, it is important to prepare it properly. This will help to ensure that the feather ties in easily and securely. To prepare peacock herl, follow these steps:

1. Trim the quill of the feather to a length of about 1 inch.
2. Use your fingers to gently separate the barbs of the feather.
3. If using the herl for a small fly, such as a nymph or dry fly, you may want to trim the length of the barbs.
4. If using the herl for a large fly, such as a streamer or wet fly, you may want to bundle the barbs together.

Tying Flies with Peacock Herl

Peacock herl can be used to tie a wide variety of flies, but it is most commonly used for streamers, nymphs, and wet flies. To tie a fly with peacock herl, simply stack the herl on top of the hook shank and tie it in place with thread. If using the herl for a streamer or wet fly, you may want to use a few wraps of wire to secure the herl in place.

Here are a few examples of flies that can be tied with peacock herl:

• Wooly Bugger
• Muddler Minnow
• Stonefly Nymph
• Hare's Ear Nymph
• Pheasant Tail Nymph
• Gold-Ribbed Hare's Ear

Tips for Tying Flies with Peacock Herl

Here are a few tips for tying flies with peacock herl:

• Use a sharp pair of scissors to trim the quill of the feather and separate the barbs.
• Be careful not to over-trim the barbs of the feather, as this can weaken the herl and make it difficult to tie in.
• If using the herl for a streamer or wet fly, you may want to bundle the barbs together to create a more voluminous fly.
• Use a few wraps of wire to secure the herl in place, especially if tying a streamer or wet fly.
• Experiment with different colors and patterns of peacock herl to create unique and effective flies.

Conclusion

Peacock herl is a versatile fly tying material that can be used to create a wide variety of flies. By following the tips above, you can learn to use peacock herl to tie effective flies that will catch fish.

Here is an additional tip:

• If you are finding that the peacock herl is too brittle to tie with, you can soak it in water for a few minutes before using it. This will make the herl more pliable and easier to tie with.

With a little practice, you will be able to tie beautiful and effective flies with peacock herl.