Quailabou

[Izaak]

DSCN4175 by flympher, on Flickr
Hook: Mustad Signature R50, size 14
Thread: Pearsall's Gossamer chestnut
Hackle: California Quail "chickabou" feather (found under tail)
Body: tying silk

[letumgo]

Impressive fly. How delicate are the stems on these feathers?

[Izaak]

Ray,

Somewhat delicate, but I didn't have any problems wrapping the feather or tying it off, even on the first attempt. Very similar to a partridge feather.

[letumgo]

Thanks Tom. I was thinking the ftems would be very delicate.

[tie2fish]

This color combination is stunning. It would be very interesting to see what this fly looks like under water.

[Soft-hackle]

Really soft-hackle! Skillfully tied.

Mark

[Izaak]

tie2fish,

I dunked this fly....well, tried to anyway...it held a lot of air bubbles and didn't want to sink....I had to squeeze out all of the bubbles....anyway, afterwards I discovered that when submerged it looks exactly as it does when dry, except that the silk is a bit darker. The hackle is extremely soft and responsive to any movement in the water.....moreso than any other hackles I have tried........Otherwise, it would make a terrific emerger floating right in the film.....

[tie2fish]

Thank you, Izzak, for your report on the "dunking" attempt. In addition to its emerger potential, it sounds as though it might also serve well when there are spinners on the water. In any event, a gorgeous fly.