Drowned Quills

[kmudgn]

I was tying up some Blue Quills last week and had soaked the stripped peacock quills in water to soften before use. I forgot that I had left the quills in water. It has been about 5 days since they were soaking. They seem ok, but I am wondering if I can dry them out for use later, or will they get moldy and become unusable.
Never did this before, just a factor of being an old fart.

 

[albula]

Rather than soak them if water dip unstripped eyes or herls in melted paraffin. When it hardens you can separate the herls easily and with a thumb nail peel off the fuzz. The wax also softens and gives the quills a shine and renders them flexible so they don't crack while wrapping. Tied a lot of Gordon Quills in my day. Best way to go.

 

[kmudgn]

Rather than soak them if water dip unstripped eyes or herls in melted paraffin. When it hardens you can separate the herls easily and with a thumb nail peel off the fuzz. The wax also softens and gives the quills a shine and renders them flexible so they don't crack while wrapping. Tied a lot of Gordon Quills in my day. Best way to go.

That is a great tip. I have never heard of that before. I have soaked quills for 50*+ years of tying, but will try the wax method you suggested. I guess if it works in the "bikini" area it will work on herls. A Brazilian wax for Peacock. Who wudda thunk!

 

[Draketake]

@kmudgn,

I think if you dry them out completely and then store them in a little paper bag, it will be fine.

So separate issue....have you seen or used, those newerish synthetic quills? They are basically sticker type material and they look damn good without the fuss. Flyfish Food has a nice video out on these synthetic quills. They arent inexpensive per se' but way less work.

Have a good day.

Bob

 

[kmudgn]

I saw them at my local shop. I thought the material to be too narrow to be useful. There is a "quick tie" video on YouTube using the synthetic for Blue Quills, but as I tie the fly as a parachute the quick tie recipe does not work for me. I do use Antron for the post instead of calf as I find it easier to control.
I normally try new stuff, but the new material did not really pique my interest. Quills ARE a PITA, but they work. After the tie is complete, I also coat them with Sally Hanson to protect and shine. It's a lot of work for a # 16 fly that won't last, but that's the way of the tier.