mallard flank and duck feathers in general

[smalljaw]

How do you guys like to tie them on a jig? Do you tie them in hands apart with the curve going in opposite directions or together? I'm asking as I really like the jigs some of you tie and I figured I'd give them a shot but I have no clue as to how to use them.

 

[quivira kid]

I take the fibers off the stem, and generally try to keep things looking somewhat streamlined.

 

[papaperch]

Mostly I do what quivira does. But hopefully JungleJim chimes in . He is the guru when it come to the duck fedders,

 

[redman]

Guess I am odd man out I tie them on with the stem on. Just the tips but use as much of the feather as possible. So some of the fibers I do take off the stem. I feel that the better jigs are made with stems on but that is just me. I agree Jungle Jim will have the ultimate answer.

Redman

 

[AndyLane]

I cant say much because I have only just recently picked up some duck and have only tied a few. The first few I tied were thread necks using the tips with the stem. Tied in one on each side over a small tuff of wool. I also cut a few feathers into V's and tied them over some neck hackle tails and then made chenille bodies. I want to do a lot more with the duck feathers. They are one of those materials where I was like why haven't I used this before!

 

[toadfrog]

If I tie using the majority of the feather intact I feel like there is some added strength to the integrity of the feather . Size of feather and lure determine if I remove any of the feather at all . Style and the effect you are going for will automatically determine what you have to do .I guess my 2 cents worth is do nothing to a feather until you have to.

 

[Pup]

Here's a link to Jungle Jim's excellent article: Flash Duck Tutorial

Here's how I've tied them for float-n-fly fishing: Link

I use two whole feathers, each tied in on opposite sides of the collar, to form a "shad" shape.

 

[hookup]

Only way I ever tied them was for poppers.

There's a guy in VA who's a legend in the popper world, Walt. He showed up at one of my fishing clubs and gave us all a tutorial on how to tie them.

Best way to describe it is what you said "hands apart with the curve going in opposite directions "

 

[StumpHunter]

I like to tie with the tip of a feather but I also tie a lot with the fibers cut off the stem because it is hard to find many just right feathers in a pack. I think it is hard to tie a "bad" mallard jig as all of them catch fish.

 

[JUNGLEJIM1]

There is no wrong way to tie them, I've tried several ways and they all work. The best way for me is to use the whole trimmed feathers tied in at the collar, one on the bottom and one on top. Then I cut fibers off the stem of another feather to fill in any holes in the sides and to help get the minnow profile that I am looking for. Sometimes only two feathers are needed. Best feathers have the shape of a willow blade if you are looking to make float n fly jigs. They work great as a tail on hardbodys and chenille body jigs as well. Every time I go to Cabela's I have to pick at least 1 or 2 large bags to put in my basket, I'll never have enough. I usually trim the fluff and fuzz off the feathers and then sort the feathers out in two bags. One for size 6 and smaller and the other for size 4 and larger. I always end up with more smaller feathers than large, unfortunately.