FLYMPH FORUM

Sounds like a turkey biot (could be wrong).

The herl should be a barb on the other side of the rachis from the biot.

https://globalflyfisher.com/tie-better/ ... truction-0

aha thank you Bill... it is opposite side of the feather from the biot.... though if the biot were long enough, it could be used the same way that I'm using the other side....On most of the feathers I have, the biot base is too wide and the rest too short to be wound on a size 14-16....when tied on the shaft by the tip end of the barb/herl/hiot whatever....

I have never heard of part of a wing feather referred to as herl but Bill is correct.

Shows how much I use them.

If someone said to me "turkey herl" I would immediately think the barbs of a tail feather.

Ronr I am humbled my Tups dubbing was worthy of one of your ties! Amazing!

ronr wrote: ↑Sun Aug 09, 2020 8:42 am my biology may be incorrect.. but its from the turkey's wing... and is the barbule..

Thank you. My neighbor goes turkey hunting every year, and he has said whatever I need in feathers are free for the taking.

Your flies do look amazing. And after 20 fish that fly still looks that good, I'd say you are levels above my tying skill.

Credit the materials...not the tyers skill on this fly... the turkey wing feather is pretty tough and the wire helps hold it together. I was surprised the hackle held up so well, but remember these were not 20 inch trout either... most still had baby teeth...

Snowfly......also a great read !!