Go-to fly patterns for trout?

[::: :::]

That's a turkey biot, not a quill, but they pose similar challenges and have a similar solution:

Soak them in water before you tie them in. Quills and biots you get at a fly shop are dried out and brittle, especially if they're dyed. If you soak them for a bit they become more flexible and crack less (they still crack. It also helps to put super glue on your thread base before you wrap them.

Here is a split wing quill body:
Attachment 488942

I also use Canada goose biots from feathers I find around. These aren't nearly as brittle, but they don't have the same dark edge as a turkey biot and they only come in grey.

This little parachute is hard to tie, but you can see it:
Attachment 488943

Thx for the soak tip — that will help me
And nice tie

[::: :::]

Picked up a flea market half saddle
Is 24hrs in the freezer enough to kill off any possible hidden critters?

[Harry]

Picked up a flea market half saddle
Is 24hrs in the freezer enough to kill off any possible hidden critters?

Google says it takes 4 days in a freezer to kill bedbugs.


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