[Ron McNeal]

I want to tie up some quill body chironomids like this

and have some ?'s for those of you that have tied similar flies.

1. I can't find a local source for stripped peacock hurls - where do you get yours?

2. The three brands I've seen online (Polish Quills, Veniard & trout line) have a bunch of colors - what 3, 4 or 5 colors would be best to order?

3. Any other info/suggestions/comments re. peacock quill bodies?

Thanks, Ron

 

[GAT]

I use peacock herl that is dyed black, olive, red and brown for midge emergers. I strip the quill myself with the use of a white eraser.... you simply place a single herl on a flat surface and with the eraser, stroke the herl away from the quill and it comes right off... very easy.

 

[Ron McNeal]

Thanks, Gene. I knew that was an option. I'll have to give it a try.....

 

[Old406Kid]

More than you'll ever need to know, and that I didn't know, on the DIY option.
http://midcurrent.com/videos/stripping-peacock-quills/

 

[GAT]

I'm aware of the chemical approach but I normally don't need all that many quills stripped at once so I stay with the one herl at a time approach... without the smell

 

[Bobbin]

If you have long enough fingernails, you can strip peacock quill that way.

 

[Ron McNeal]

More than you'll ever need to know, and that I didn't know, on the DIY option.
http://midcurrent.com/videos/stripping-peacock-quills/

Helluva informative video. Thanks!

 

[jersey]

The bleach does work, but the quills can dry out quick and crack when wrapping. Also, you have to get the "bigger" peacock eyes. GAT is spot on with one at a time.

Consider colored markers for quill colors

 

[blackbird]

I want to tie up some quill body chironomids like this View attachment 120624 and have some ?'s for those of you that have tied similar flies.

1. I can't find a local source for stripped peacock hurls - where do you get yours?

2. The three brands I've seen online (Polish Quills, Veniard & trout line) have a bunch of colors - what 3, 4 or 5 colors would be best to order?

3. Any other info/suggestions/comments re. peacock quill bodies?

Thanks, Ron

I always wondered about quill bodies and did uot know they came from peacock herl.

Thanks for the good question, and the responses.

jay

 

[GAT]

You can use other feather quills than peacock but they are not as easy to work with and some require that you soak them in water before tying them on or they'll break.

 

[FinLuver]

quill body chironomids like this

The ol' quill buzzer...
I use the eraser or fingernails trick.