How to Tie a Duck Quill

A duck quill is a wing feather with medium stiffness, durability and pliable fibers. They contain natural curves that resemble the shape of mayfly wings. Duck quills are commonly used as wings on traditional trout, steelhead and salmon wet flies, as well as on trout dry flies.

Things You'll Need

  • Vise
  • Hook
  • 6/0 tying thread
  • Duck quill feather
  • Scissors
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Instructions

    • 1

      Clamp the hook in the fly tying vise. Start the thread at the midpoint and and wrap it forward toward the bend. Tie in the tail and abdomen of the wet or dry fly pattern. The materials used will vary based on the specific pattern.

    • 2

      Separate five to seven strands of a duck quill. Smooth the fibers together to keep them connected. Cut the base of the quill fibers to separate them from the feather. Repeat the process to secure two separate sections of quill fibers. Each one is used to build a separate wing.

    • 3

      Place the quill sections together with the natural curves bending away from each other. Measure the tips of the quill sections to match the length of the hook shank. Hold the measured point with the base fibers extending toward the bend in the hook. Make 10 thread wraps to secure the quills on the shank.

    • 4

      Cut the base of the quill fibers off the hook shank. Pull the quill sections forward, with the tips facing the hook bend. Adjust the position of the fibers to a 45-degree angle over the hook shank for wet flies. Adjust them to a 90-degree angle for dry flies. Wrap the thread over the base of the fibers to hold the angle.

    • 5

      Tie the remainder of the hackle or thorax to complete the fly pattern with a duck quill.