Partridge feather legs on nymphs

[Ray H. 0]

Does anyone know of a video that shows the correct technique for adding partridge feather legs to nymphs? I have been trying to tie both the Biot Nymph and Trico Nymph in Shane Stalcup's "Mayflies Top to Bottom". It shows two different methods of adding legs. I keep trying to duplicate this but can't, for the life of me, get them attached properly.

[flytire 0]

check out step 17-19. this is merely 1 way to do it. its tyers preference. there is no right way

 

http://www.charliesflyboxinc.com/flybox/de...fm?parentID=103

[rockworm 0]

I use two other methods, tying on the partridge after the wingcase quill is tyed on (but not folded forward): In both methods you first locate the region of the partridge feather which has fibers just a little bit longer than you want the legs. Strip off all the fibers below this point. Stroke the lower fibers so they are at right angles to the stem. Then:

 

1) When you have enough fibers sticking out for the legs, cut the stem just above this region (removing the tip of the feather.) After you dub the thread and wrap the thorax, tye in the partridge feather stem butt just behind the eye so that the good side is facing up. Use only 1 turn of thread. The feather will be laying on top of the thorax with the fibers pointing to the sides and backward. Pull the wingcase quill forward, over the partridge, and tye down with 1 or 2 turns of thread. At this point you can pull the partridge butt forward to adjust the length of the legs. Then cut the butts and whip finish. Or (my preferred method):

 

2) Instead of cutting off the tip of the partridge feather, I use it to tye the feather in: Before dubbing the thorax, tye in the partridge at the thorax/abdomen junction. (The same place the wingcase quill is tyed down.) The partridge feather is tyed in by the tip with the good side down and the butt to the rear (facing left). Then dub the thorax, fold the partridge forward and tye it down behind the eye. Fold the wingcase quill forward, over the partridge, tye down, etc.

[Ray H. 0]

Thank you both for your replys. I have just tried Flytire's method and it seems to be working now. Sure made sense once I saw how it was done. I am going to try the two methods described by Rockworm since they seem to provide a different finished product. I am sure that all three methods will be beneficial to know later on. Again, Thanks for the help.

 

Ray