Twist 0 Report post Posted November 4, 2008 Ok guys,I was trying to tie some Peacock Herl bodies and everytime,the darn thing would break,I tried using less tension,it still popped.Is there any method that is used to wrap herl without breaking it? Thanks-Twist. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FKROW 0 Report post Posted November 4, 2008 Spin it up in a dubbing loop. Regards, FK Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RoyalWulff 0 Report post Posted November 4, 2008 tie in 2-3 strands of herl and twist it around your ribbing, or your thread and then wrap up your body. I always cut off the first inch of the herl tip because I find it the most fragile. Likewise you may have some brittle herl. But if you wrap your herl with your thread or rib you will solve your problem of it breaking and also reinforce it so it will last longer on the fly while fishing. Phil Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
iso18 0 Report post Posted November 4, 2008 twist three strands of herl together and then wrap. shane Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Twist 0 Report post Posted November 4, 2008 AH use more than one strand then,I gotcha'. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
iso18 0 Report post Posted November 4, 2008 AH use more than one strand then,I gotcha'.exactly shane Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chase Creek 0 Report post Posted November 4, 2008 Like FK, I always spin the herl in a dubbing loop. It makes a really nice, even rope. Form your loop, then wind however many starnds you want around one leg of the loop, then spin the loop. Have never had herl break like this. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Futzer 0 Report post Posted November 4, 2008 If you aren't going for a perfect hackle tie on the herl i.e. a presentation Royal Wulff then, twist the herl two wraps around your thread in the bobbin, then wrap the herl on while holding the bobbin and end of the herl. The Thread overlaps the herl as it ties in. Definitely won't come apart from a fishes bite that way. Oh and it is quicker than the dubbing loop method. Works good lasts a long time. Cheers, Futzer. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
iso18 0 Report post Posted November 4, 2008 twist three strands of herl together and then wrap. shane If you aren't going for a perfect hackle tie on the herl i.e. a presentation Royal Wulff then, twist the herl two wraps around your thread in the bobbin, then wrap the herl on while holding the bobbin and end of the herl. The Thread overlaps the herl as it ties in. Definitely won't come apart from a fishes bite that way. Oh and it is quicker than the dubbing loop method. Works good lasts a long time. Cheers, Futzer. or along the lines of what futzer suggest,tie in 3 strands,twist together wrap around the hook and then wrap ure thead and then your ribbing though the fly,lasts pretty good and works for me and quicker and easier than dubbin loop. shane Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Al Beatty 0 Report post Posted November 5, 2008 Hi Twist, You might consider using a bobbin twirler from Wasatch tool company. I recently wrote a review on the tool and was impress with it enought to buy 24 of them (12 for me and 12 for Gretchen). The make tying herl bodies real easy. Take care & ... Tight Lines - Al Beatty (not an employee of Wastatch, just a happy customer) www.btsflyfishing.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
deflyguy 0 Report post Posted November 5, 2008 My best results for sub-surface herl patterns is to create a peacock dub brush with a twirler (like Al mentioned above) and small diameter Ultra Wire (in lieu of thread or waxed monocord). I usually go with Wine or Amber for the wire color (gun metal blue is nice also) :coffee: Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mkankmike 0 Report post Posted November 5, 2008 twist three strands of herl together and then wrap. This is the way I do it too. If I'm using a ribbing on the fly, sometimes I'll counter wrap the ribbing to help strengthen the herl. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jimmywhiplash 0 Report post Posted November 5, 2008 The way I do it is to tie in two or more herls in and then twist them together then wrap them along to make your body I find if you put a thin rib in also which is wrapped in the opposite direction this strengthens the body hope this helps jimmywhiplash Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DHise 0 Report post Posted November 5, 2008 Good pointers. Also try herl from the peacock eye feather. Usually much better quality. Tie it in from the butt end of the feather and twist or use a dubbing loop. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Firetiger 0 Report post Posted November 5, 2008 Another simple trick is to wet the herl with a little water/saliva before tying. Its a little bit less brittle this way. Saved me a lot of frustration Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites