Stupid Question

[trekker]

This is probably a dumbo question: Which end of a marabou feather is the tip? I'm new to tying and have been tying up some spey tubes. The instructions say to tie the marabou in tip first. Is it the end of the feather, or the bottom part where the stem is??

Thanks

[Kevin Giusti]

Hey trekker. The tip is the end of the feather. The stem on the tip will be much smaller and the fibers will also be somewhat smaller at the tip. You can also wrap marabou plumes the opposite way. You may see this referred to as " tying in the feather by the base" in some pattern recipes. The base being the bottom of the feather and having a thicker stem and longer fibers.Give both ways a try. Its kind of personal preference but they both work! Good luck. Kevin

[obiwankanobi]

End of the feather(thin part). When using marabou for your spey's, tie in about an 1" down from the tip just so you can begin with just some slightly longer fibers for the rear portion of your hackle. As you approach the end of the rachis(i.e. stem) you might want to take your pliers and flatten out the thick stem to make for a clean and easy tie off point.

Good luck and show us your final product!

[chadk]

wet your fingers, grab some fibers at the tip, and stroke back the rest. You'll have a nice clean spot on the thin stem an inch or so from the tip. Keep the feathers damp and work them back so they don't get caught up in the tying thread as you work. I found when wrapping (palmering) these bigger and bushier feathers that a tooth brush helps. Just wrap with one hand while brushing back the fibers with the tooth brush after each wrap. Not only does it keep them out of the way, but it gently pulls out any feathers that got stuck under the wraps.

[trekker]

Thanks for the replies. I figured it that way, but I didn't know for sure. I'll post some pics once I get a good one tied up.

[Loopy]

No such thing as a stupid question in Fishing or Fly Tying.

Only stupid answers!

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u260/flyfishing_photo/cool0003.gif