Peacock Herl brittle ?

[BucktailJiger]

Would it hurt if I put a small damp piece of cloth in with my Peacock Herl for a couple days ? Seems to be awful dry to the point brittle . It is from Hareline .

 

[JUNGLEJIM1]

I think a little steam would help add moisture reducing the brittleness. Herl is a brittle material which is why many tyers add wire to reinforce it.

 

[LedHed]

Steam could help. I use the eyes for my herl - haven't noticed them being brittle. Did a little tutorial on peacock rope - might help.

 

[redman]

In the old days we would add glycerin to soften them up. We would put glycerin a small amount in a jar add the herl and let it soak for a few days.When you took the herl out of the jar we would put it on a piece of paper towel to absorb the excess glycerin. Think that you can still get glycerin at the Drug store. Saw some in Walgreen down here in Shreveport with in the last month or so.

Jim is right you can still get the very thin wire to reinforce the herl.

Redman

 

[BucktailJiger]

thanks guys . Got the xtra fine wire 3 spools red gold silver .

 

[Fatman]

One of the guys on my fly tying board once told me the best way to do it was get your kettle boiling, put the herl in water take it out and put it between paper towels, then put in the steam of the kettle. he said he's done it with herl over 10 yrs old and it works great.

 

[StumpHunter]

I use a damp paper towel. Place what I will need for the flies I'm tying between the towels for an hour before hand. works fine for me.