This material features in numerous fly patterns, and adds little bulk to a fly - important when tying small. One of my frustrations has always been the lack of colour variation when stripping herl from natural peacock eyes, resulting in limited segmentation on the body. Natural herl is a v. dark brown, almost black in colour.
So I was intrigued when
Phil Holding started stocking dyed peacock herl recently. Available in a range of colours, the tan makes for ultra-natural looking bodies and the size of the herl is simply perfect for sub #20 patterns. Once tied in, apply a thin layer of Hard As Nails and carefully wrap the quill forward in touching turns. The effect is a robust and highly imitative body.
There's enough material on a single eye feather for 100+ flies and a pack of three (colours can be mixed when you order) for only £2.50 makes for insane value.
This is a simple sepia dun, tied on a #24 TMC 101:
Oh, and still tying spent spinners on TMC 518 #32's... Simply colour the thread with permanent marker to make a neat but striking thorax.
