Number 3 in the Mikes salmon flies series. The durham ranger – feather wing.
Though I would show you another trick using liquid wax. Here I have stacked 3 substitute feathers one on top of another. Then I have run a little drop of wax in front of the tying in point. This will leach back a tad. This technique is very handy for stacking multiple materials ie: 6 tocking in a jock scott.
Here is a shot ready for mounting my wing.
First step tie in two jungle cock back to back, make sure you don’t over strip the feather, strip it back just to the tying in point. I.e if you over strip this could cause twisting of the jungle cock at a later date. The fluff acts as a paddle.
Now I have selected a pair of tippets, Mount them individual to both sides of the JP and you will notice I have tied the tippets onto the side of the hook. The tippet is the correct length but the wrong shape for this style of fly. So I am going to have to change the shape of the tippet.
To lower the tippet I have used spit between my thumb and four finger. This might take several tries before it goes to the required shape.
Now for the second pair of tippets, tied on directly to the first pair and moisten to change the shape to match the first pair.
Now place on your king fisher checks, next I pick a suitable natural topping. I measure to size and then wrap it on.
next tie in your king fisher cheeks. I tend to double up these feathers.
Next step place you horns on either side of your topping. If you are happy with the result then you can varnish the tying in point, allow this to dry before removing the waste.
Bind down all your waste. I have dubbed a little bit of wool, then put a touch of varnish on the head again and wrap your wool back to the wing.
