Thorax gills on a nymph

[troutnabout 0]

I was wondering what materials and techniques people useto imitate thorax gills on a nymph pattern?

[Old Hat 0]

There is a lot of ways to do it. Some more realistic and some more just for functionality. I use chickabou feathers or ostrich most often, in a lot of different ways. Shane Stalcup uses a nifty technique on some of his nymphs. It's relatively easy. Wrap ostrich around the shank where you want the gill effect. Rib with wire. Heat up your bodkin with a lighter and gently singe the top and/or bottom of the ostrich down to the wire with the hot bodkin. Makes a really neat effect.

[riffleriversteelheadslayer 0]

I use the aftshaft of phesant feathers

[Bruce Derington 0]

Old Hat is right, many ways to do this. I use aftershaft feathers, located behind body feathers, I mainly use pheasant and Partridge, but most bird skins can be used Jack Gartside and Jeff Andrews(bear) have many patterns that incorporate these. Google aftershaft or the two names and you'll get step by steps http://www.flyfisherman.com/ftb/ffmbeststeel/ or http://www.jackgartside.com/step_gartside_sparrow.htm

[troutnabout 0]

Bruce; thanks for the link to Flyfisherman. The visual instructions helped. also how cool that there is a good use for the aftshaft feathers. I love it when a solution is effective, economical and easy. :headbang:

[troutnabout 0]

There is a lot of ways to do it. Some more realistic and some more just for functionality. I use chickabou feathers or ostrich most often, in a lot of different ways. Shane Stalcup uses a nifty technique on some of his nymphs. It's relatively easy. Wrap ostrich around the shank where you want the gill effect. Rib with wire. Heat up your bodkin with a lighter and gently singe the top and/or bottom of the ostrich down to the wire with the hot bodkin. Makes a really neat effect.

 

Old Hat thanks for the new tecnique.I i'm gonna try it out this week

[DHise 0]

Aftershaft here. There are numerous ways to use them but I like them laying along the abdomen.

[iso18 0]

i use pheasant tail.

shane