Among the many great pleasures of pursuing fly fishing is the making of artificial flies. It is both an art and a science. Feathers are widely used to replicate the appearance and movement of insects so that fish are attracted to them. They have been used in this way for centuries, and the techniques and styles have been handed down through generations. There is such a satisfaction in admiring your own handiwork.

If you are new to fly tying, you will first need to learn a little bit of terminology. Necks are just what they sound like, feathers from the neck of a bird. These feathers are trimmed into a rounded or hourglass shape. Saddles come from the tail and are cut into a square shape. Skins are sometimes called matuka. This is a portion of skin from the body of the bird on which there are a variety of different feather types. Hackles are feathers from the tail. The heavily webbed center feathers of the tail are sometimes called schlappen.

Feathers are frequently obtained from hens, roosters, and capons. Capons are male chickens that have been rendered sterile. Hen and capon feathers tend to be webby, which is useful for making wet flies. There are actually chickens that are bred and raised specifically for high quality fly tying feathers.

Other common types of feathers are those that are obtained from pheasant, geese, partridge, ostrich and peacock. Waterfowl feathers from mallards, teals, and others are also sold. Fly tying feathers that are sold as marabou are from turkeys or chickens, because it is illegal to buy or sell true marabou.

There are dozens of books and magazines that provide the patterns and designs to use to begin creating your own flies. You can also find them online. Probably the most traditional way is to learn directly in the field from an experienced fly fisherman. It can take a while to get good at it, because it is delicate work. But with practice, you will rapidly improve.

There is a great deal of variety in fly tying materials. The pattern you are using will give you detailed instructions on what elements you will need. Besides feathers, fur, yarn, and wood are utilized as components of the fly. Of course there are many synthetic materials that are now also being sold. Thread and wire are used to shape the fly and to secure it to the hook.

For basic tools, you will need a vise, bobbins, scissors, hackle pliers, hackle gauges, hair stackers, and a magnifying glass. Many other materials are useful. Over time you will discover which tools are the most important for your own technique.

When you are looking for fly typing materials, there are many sources that you will come across. You can purchase them in your local brick and mortar sporting goods or hunting shop, just about any place that you would find fly reels and other equipment. You can also find them for sale at online websites, which is the best source if you want to have a bigger selection.

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Are you looking for more information regarding Fly Tying Feathers? Visit http://greatfeathers.com today!

Author Bio: Are you looking for more information regarding Fly Tying Feathers? Visit http://greatfeathers.com today!

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Keywords: fly tying,tying feathers,fly tying feathers