How to Tie Using Quill Wing Flies

Quill wing flies use a wrapped peacock or rooster quill to form the body of the fly. Quills were originally used to create Catskill-style dry flies with a traditionally wrapped hackle, soft tail and mallard wing. The quill body remains popular for traditional dry flies, but the use is extended to abdomens for nymphs and bodies for attractor- and parachute-style dry flies. Preparing and installing the quill is a short process that requires special care to prevent cracking and damaging the quill material.

Things You'll Need

  • Fly-tying vise
  • Hook
  • 8/0 thread
  • Peacock quill
  • Razor blade
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Instructions

    • 1

      Lock the hook in the vise and start the thread one-third of the way up the hook shank. Wrap the thread to the hook bend to build a thin and even layer of thread on the shank.

    • 2

      Measure and tie the tail of the fly to match the hook length. Use six thread wraps to secure the tail and trim the butts of any tail feather fibers. Mallard flank is a common tail material for quill flies, but any soft feather is adequate.

    • 3

      Remove a peacock quill from the eye of a peacock feather. The eye is the round blue section on the lower center portion of the feather. The quill fibers in the section are thicker and more durable than the outside fibers.

    • 4

      Place the quill on a flat surface and hold the thick base section. Hold a razor blade on top of the fiber at a sharp angle pointing toward the narrow end of the fiber. Pull the quill across the blade to strip the colorful fibers. Turn the quill to expose a new section of fibers and repeat the process until all of the fibers are removed.

    • 5

      Tie the base of the quill at the hook bend with six wraps of thread. Return the thread to the starting point. Wrap the quill over the hook shank, making a small overlap with each wrap. Stop at the thread. Make six thread wraps to secure the quill body and cut the excess quill flush to the hook shank.

    • 6

      Tie the hackle, wing and any other materials required for the specific fly pattern.