Compound Loop: what is it?

Little Fork

Little Fork

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A pattern I’d like to tie calls for a collar of “turkey tail swords in a compound loop.” Googling got me nowhere. Can anyone explain what this means?
 
It may be an autocorrect thing, and what was intended is 'composite loop'...
 
I could use more context. I’m assuming swords could be primary tail feathers but not sure of that. There is a technique we’re you knot individual fibers from feathers using a loop of thread to make a hackle like strand
 
speyflyfisher said:
I could use more context. I’m assuming swords could be primary tail feathers but not sure of that. There is a technique we’re you knot individual fibers from feathers using a loop of thread to make a hackle like strand
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The pattern is “Guinea/Orange October Caddis” from Steven Bird’s Trout Spey and The Art of the Swing.
 
Little Fork said:
The pattern is “Guinea/Orange October Caddis” from Steven Bird’s Trout Spey and The Art of the Swing.
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If you find the answer please share as I would like to know as well and take a stab at tying it in the manner he intended.
 
SKYKO said:
If you find the answer please share as I would like to know as well and take a stab at tying it in the manner he intended.
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I will. I was thinking about sending him an email.
The book is beautiful. Thanks for the good recommendation.
 
About 8:40 in the first video John shows using a composite loop. Second video he uses it, for a killing tie. I don't use a tool, I just set up my dubbing and hackle on a piece of parchment paper on the bench then move it to the loop with the little bit of wax left on my finger.

 
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Tom Butler said:
About 8:40 in the first video John shows using a composite loop. Second video he uses it, for a killing tie. I don't use a tool, I just set up my dubbing and hackle on a piece of parchment paper on the bench then move it to the loop with the little bit of wax left on my finger.

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Thanks for the videos and explanation. My assumption when I read “compound loop” was that Bird meant the same as composite loop.
I’m going to try it now.
 
YouTube search composite loop and there’s lots there. OPST sponsors some fly tying videos where they show it well. It’s really kinda cool.
 
Could a compound loop be one where a normal loop is made, but with a third strand is laid down the middle…all done with the thread from the bobbin.

Best visual I can think of, is to draw a teardrop (pointy end up), then drawn a line from point vertically down past the rounded bottom end (in one continuous motion without remove the pencil/pen from the paper).

Dub the vertical strand, then place that dubbed strand in the loop, twist all together; thus locking the fibers in better. When brushing out the material, there is less pull out…even while fishing.

I had seen some (older) tyers use this technique.
 
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That’s an interesting idea. Would you pass the bobbin/verticle dubbed thread through the loop or just rely on its proximity to the loop for it to be captured and twisted in the loop?
I’ll screw around with it tonight.
 
Little Fork said:
That’s an interesting idea. Would you pass the bobbin/verticle dubbed thread through the loop or just rely on its proximity to the loop for it to be captured and twisted in the loop?
I’ll screw around with it tonight.
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May have been two dubbing loops then cut one loop down the middle; dub that loop straight piece of thread; then wedge between the dubbing loop; pinch all three strands with hackle pliers and twist up.

Honestly, it has been so long since I have seen it done, that now I would have to play around with the idea to be certain myself.
 
SKYKO said:
If you find the answer please share as I would like to know as well and take a stab at tying it in the manner he intended.
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Steve Bird kindly responded to my email.
Here is his response:
“Make a thread loop where you want the back of the collar to be located. Cut a section of tail about 2 inches long; strip the swords from one side; place the feather in the loop, barbs extended the length you want. With the swords (barbs) trapped in the loop, use scissors to cut away the feather stem. Wind the loop until the barbs are well trapped, forming a brush. Now wind forward toward the eye, training the collar back as you wind.”
 
Little Fork said:
Steve Bird kindly responded to my email.
Here is his response:
“Make a thread loop where you want the back of the collar to be located. Cut a section of tail about 2 inches long; strip the swords from one side; place the feather in the loop, barbs extended the length you want. With the swords (barbs) trapped in the loop, use scissors to cut away the feather stem. Wind the loop until the barbs are well trapped, forming a brush. Now wind forward toward the eye, training the collar back as you wind.”
Click to expand...

Here's a post by Steve Bird that seems to describe this fly, with a picture. Nice looking fly!:

soft-hacklejournal.blogspot.com

October Caddis ~ For Swinging

A blog devoted to Trout Spey, swinging flies, tying and fishing soft-hackle flies & flyfishing.
soft-hacklejournal.blogspot.com soft-hacklejournal.blogspot.com
 
Little Fork said:
Steve Bird kindly responded to my email.
Here is his response:
“Make a thread loop where you want the back of the collar to be located. Cut a section of tail about 2 inches long; strip the swords from one side; place the feather in the loop, barbs extended the length you want. With the swords (barbs) trapped in the loop, use scissors to cut away the feather stem. Wind the loop until the barbs are well trapped, forming a brush. Now wind forward toward the eye, training the collar back as you wind.”
Click to expand...
Thanks for the follow up explanation, I'm going to give that a try for sure!
 
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