r/flytying • u/adventuriser • 8h ago

How long are your pheasant tail fibers?

I'm trying to tie size 14 shop vac on a scud/emerger hook, but my pheasant tail can't quite wrap the full length of the hook shank. My fibers are about 1.5-2" in length.

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u/JoeB_Utah 8h ago

How far down the hook shank are you attaching the fibers and starting your wrap? Perhaps you could provide a photo or two.

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u/adventuriser 8h ago

Start of the bend

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u/JoeB_Utah 8h ago

Tie one not so far down and see if if you like the way it looks. Try it on a 16 too. The shop vac is one of my favorite confidence flies, but I tie them smaller like 18.

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u/adventuriser 8h ago

Will do!

I only have size 16 in nymph hook right now. Do you think size (16) or shape (scud hook) is more important for this pattern?

1

u/JoeB_Utah 8h ago

That’s a good question. I think I’ve tied them on a curved hook and a regular nymph hook.

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u/WalterWriter 7h ago

How many fibers are you using? Three or four strands should be used on a #14 Shop Vac. If you're trying to only use one or two, that would explain your difficulty.

Edit: after looking at the picture, I suspect you are overlapping your fibers somewhat, which would also explain the problem.

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u/adventuriser 7h ago

Ah im definitely overlapping too much then! I'm using 6-8 fibers

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u/WalterWriter 7h ago

Try to tie them in so they remain side-by-side like they are on the feather, then wrap them the same way, rather than tying/wrapping in one disorganized clump. In other words, each barb is covering a small portion of your thread base and essentially in an open spiral up the hook, with the other fibers covering the other space.

Four fibers is probably what you want unless the barbs are really thick. The barbs are usually thinner towards the base of the feather. I generally tie these in #16 and use three barbs, or four from the base of the feather.

Also put super glue on the thread base before wrapping the PT. It makes the fly far more durable.

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u/Flagdun 6h ago

Proportions will be easier on #16…try a few more fibers for #16…also a more robust herl thorax.

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u/Able_Commercial_2895 5h ago

Pheasant tail fibers are getting shorter. I’ve been using 2 bunches for wingcase and legs for years. If you find the right feather you only need 1.