Stripped, well marked Peacock Herl

[stevekale]

I have been looking at some New Zealand dry fly patterns that call for this on the body. The issue I am struggling with is that if I take a strand from a peacock eye and strip it, what I am left with doesn't appear to be "well marked" but rather solid in colour. I'm wondering if I am better off trying a goose biot but then struggle with what is the right colour.

Ideas?

[troutheaven]

I don't know if this is true, but I hears from someone from the commercial production side of fly-tying that domestic reared birds have poorly differentiated quills and Asian sourced birds are best.

[Buzz]

I struggled for a while and ended up buying some stuff yonks ago from Daver on here. It the best peacock i have come across albeit you still have to strip it yourself.
The trouble i find with Goose or Turkey is the width of it.
Anyway....
Just a thought and for the record i have no affiliation with Davers business.

[maharg]

Buzz is correct, you just have to shop around till you get the good stuff.

[Rod3]

I asked folks on this forum about good quality Peacock herl, some three years ago. Fred , from the States, was good enough to put me onto this site. www.siskiyouaviary.com . Two e-mail's later and I have some of the best 'Eyes' going. They strip well and have very good markings.
Try them and see!
Rod.

[Jackwow]

Originally Posted by troutheaven

I don't know if this is true, but I hears from someone from the commercial production side of fly-tying that domestic reared birds have poorly differentiated quills and Asian sourced birds are best.

After spending most of the 90's working in Thailand and Indonesia I can confirm that Asian birds are indeed the best.

[Stillwater angler]

Whilst your waiting for better swords......... you could take your existing swords off the string or out of the packet and store them in say an ice cream tub ..{ saves mess } and just filter through the swords picking out the thicker ones to strip......... you should be able to select a few and they'll most proberbly be better marked.

[stevekale]

thanks guys