In fly dressing, “quills” refer to the central stems of feathers, particularly those from hackle capes or stripped peacock herls, used to create segmented bodies or wings on flies, especially for nymphs, dry flies, and some wet flies.
Here’s a more detailed explanation:
Quills are the central, robust stems of feathers, often used to create segmented or ribbed bodies on fly patterns.
- Natural and Synthetic Options:
You can use natural quills (like those from hackle feathers or stripped peacock herls) or synthetic quills, which are designed to mimic the appearance and functionality of natural quills.
- Examples of Fly Patterns:
- Quill Bodies: Quills are used to create segmented bodies on flies like nymphs, dry flies, and some wet flies.
- Quill Wings: Some dry fly patterns, like the Quill Gordon, use quills for the wings.
- Peacock Quill Nymphs: A popular pattern that uses stripped peacock quills for a natural, segmented body.
- Quill Jig Nymphs: A simple but effective nymph pattern that utilizes quills for the body.
- How to Use Them:
- Stripping Quills: If using natural quills, you’ll need to strip the fibers from the quill stem, which can be done by hand or with a chemical process.
- Wrapping Quills: The stripped quill is then wrapped around the hook shank, creating a segmented or ribbed body.
- Sealing Quills: Some tiers seal the quill body with a light-activated adhesive or head cement to prevent wear and tear.
- Types of Quills:
- Peacock Quills: A popular choice for creating segmented bodies, especially for nymphs.
- Turkey Biot Quills: A longer, more flexible quill that can be used for bodies, wings, and tails.
- Synthetic Quills: Materials like Semperfli Perfect Quills and Veevus Body Quill are synthetic alternatives that are durable and easy to use.
- Tips for Working with Quills:
- Practice: Working with quills, especially natural ones, can take some practice.
- Sealing: Consider sealing your quill bodies with a light-activated adhesive or head cement to prevent wear and tear.
- Experiment: Try different types of quills and techniques to find what works best for you.
