Tying flies with Rhea

[goscuba]

I am a novice/infant tyer. I was given one fly tyed with Rhea by another flyfisherman who I think felt sorry for me. He kept walking while I hooked a steelhead with it. Can you gentlemen advise me what to buy & how to place it on a hook? Or, suggest a book/publication that can give me step-by-step instruction? I really need help and appreciate your responses. Thank you.

[Big Tuna]

The Irish Angler sells rhea, but be prepared; it's spendy. I think it's generally palmered up the hook shank/tube, etc. I've seen it used on both spey flies and intruders, but I'm guessing there are other applications. With those long barbules, it provides a lot of movement.

[Joe Fitzpatrick]

Rhea is incredible stuff...Moves amazing in the water. Head over to spey pages and look at the video section..."Why Rhea works"...I'd provide a link, but I don't know if that would violate anything.

To use it, you can bunch tie it or split it. To bunch tie, just take about 5-10 fibers and tie it at each 90 degree axis of the fly allowing it to spread around the shank. To split, you will have to soak the entire feather for a bit in water. Then split the stem from the top down.

I think the best fibers are the ones that look like plastic.

[goscuba]

thanks guys.

[TallFlyGuy]

I use a dubbing loop. go to...

http://washingtonflyfishing.com/board/showthread.php?t=45090

and scroll to bottom where the tutorial is. Do the same thing but with small pieces of rhea instead of marabou.


Justin

[TallFlyGuy]

Here you go.

Rhea Meet Moal--- Moal Meet Rhea

http://www.washingtonflyfishing.com/gallery/data/18025/thumbs/moalmeetrhea2.jpg (http://www.washingtonflyfishing.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=28379)

http://www.washingtonflyfishing.com/gallery/data/18025/thumbs/rheameetmoal1.jpg (http://www.washingtonflyfishing.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=28380)

All tied on a dubbing loop....Including the rabbit

[Eric Tarcha]

looks good!