Quail Goose and Duff 1550

[William Anderson]

At the risk of over posting, I wanted to put this one up as I just posted it in the Quail Bloa thread to show the Waterhen-liek tones of the quail hackle. There are some tan tones on the California Quail hackles that show a little better in this pattern.

Quail Goose and Duff 1550



Hook: Daiichi 1550 #14
Thread: Brown Griffiths 14/0
Hackle: California Quail from mid shoulder
Rib: Small Gold Uniwire
Body: Goose body feather fibers twisted
Thorax: Duff from Quail Hackle

w

[Mataura mayfly]

Really nice two feather fly.

Too many of us "stuff the duff" and just bin it as it is stripped from the stem, in my opinion an under utilised dubbing.

[William Anderson]

Mm, I like to use the duff a lot and used to do it more often. My only reservation is the "magic" factor. As a material it will provide the kind of motion and profile that makes the soft-hackles so effective, working with the hackle, etc. But as there has been so many conversations about the unique qualities of certain tried and true materials (hares ear, seal, cdc, peacock herl, snowshoe feet, mole, muskrat, beaver, pine squirrel, etc.) I wonder if there is anything lacking in the duff that would make the "chosen" materials a better thorax material. I know its a stretch, and unknowable, but it's a wonder. And everyone has opinions. I'd be curious to hear a few.

Mine: I like a wide variety of underfurs and guardhairs for a thorax, but I like the qualities of motion, color, texture, versatility, translucency and availability of the duff. Plus it appeals to my frugal tying nature.

Others?

[tjd]

William,

That's a great looking fly! Probably a killer when the Olives are hatching.

Nicely done...

Best,

Tim

[Kelly L.]

I like this one very much, the hook goes nicely with the body and hackle!

[letumgo]

"At the risk of over posting"

Risk away, William! I love seeing your creations.

[Izaak]

Thumbs up!