Croonenberghs Flies

Snowspey

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I'm trying to identify what George Croonenberghs used on his quill flies. Anyone know? I've seen pics and the quills look pretty wide. I haven't been able to locate anything like it. Let me know if you have any info. Thanks!

GC Quill Fly.jpg
 
I would suspect stripped quill, from any large feathered bird…ie: turkey, pheasant or such…would work.

You can dye it or color with marker (wipe off), to get a desired look.

Ps: probably not something you will find in stores…you’ll have to do the strip with a razor n peel work yourself. It’s not too taxing. 😉
 
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I would suspect stripped quill, from any large winged or tailed feathered bird…ie: turkey, pheasant or such…would work.

You can dye it or color with marker (wipe off), to get a desired look.

Ps: probably not something you will find in stores…you’ll have to do the strip with a razor n peel work yourself. It’s not too taxing. 😉

Perfect, I appreciate it! I’ll definitely give that a shot.
 
Here’s a how to video from Aaron Ostoj…
He knows his stuff…!!
Not much out there on YouTube for this technique…was fortunate to find this one.
I even learned a couple of tips/tricks. 😁


This is fantastic! Thank you for posting it. Great find.
 
there are more flies here


i dont think its a stripped quill but maybe a latex strip

nymph skin would not have been around in his day but could be used today
 
just a guess like everybody elses

body.jpg


a stripped quill would be and is very thin (i have tried the neimeyer method) and looking at the overlap in the above body it appears to have a thickness in the overlapping wraps

neimeyer-stripped-quill.jpg


each wrap appears to be compressed by the next wrap forward


30-Niemeyer-Quills-catskill-fly-tying-body-materials.jpg
 
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just a guess like everybody elses

body.jpg


a stripped quill would be and is very thin (i have tried the neimeyer method) and looking at the overlap in the above body it appears to have a thickness in the overlapping wraps

neimeyer-stripped-quill.jpg


each wrap appears to be compressed by the next wrap forward


30-Niemeyer-Quills-catskill-fly-tying-body-materials.jpg
Something here might help change your guess… 😉


Ps: your quills appear to be peacock stripped quills…a different “quill” (and sometimes a confusing term) than stripped stem quill. Watch Aaron’s video…the direction of stripping the stem, creates a thickness difference.

Pss: a second look, maybe they are stem quills. I would think stripping techniques may have been a bit “crude” compared to today’s standards. Also, flies back then, we’re built up with other materials, ie: yarn…then over wrapped. Another technique would be tie in up front, wrap back, then wrap back forward, to build bulk. I do both techniques with some flies I tie today.
 
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like i said it was a guess like everybody elses:cool:

youre right and my guess is wrong

in post 19 of your link it says

Most of his flies were know as the Generals and were tied with dyed goose quill bodies, turkey or goose wings and grizzly hackle. He also tyed streamers, hoppers and a spent wing salmon fly made with a quill Body. At that time I was the owner of the Pott Fly Co. and George made some of this flies with woven hackle that I gave him. Sandy photographed many of my Cronenbergh patterns for his great site on historic flies.

the quills may have been cut into strips rather than the niemeyer method

"Ps: your quills appear to be peacock stripped quills…a different “quill” (and sometimes a confusing term) than stripped stem quill. Watch Aaron’s video…the direction of stripping the stem, creates a thickness difference."

neimeyer-stripped-quill.jpg


nope. that is a stripped quill peeled off from the tip of the feather of a goose feather, following the niemeyer method in aarons video
 
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Most of his flies were know as the Generals and were tied with dyed goose quill bodies, turkey or goose wings and grizzly hackle. He also tyed streamers, hoppers and a spent wing salmon fly made with a quill Body. At that time I was the owner of the Pott Fly Co. and George made some of this flies with woven hackle that I gave him. Sandy photographed many of my Cronenbergh patterns for his great site on historic flies.
Exactly what I was looking for. Thanks guys!
 
“the quills may have been cut into strips rather than the niemeyer method”

I concur…was just thinking of split and shaved quill; then soaked before wrapping.

Sorry for my answers…got woke up at 2:30am…(probably shouldn’t reply on lack of sleep) 😁
 
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