Why do my pheasant tails break?

[SHigSpeed]

I'd like to tie more but the tips of my PT tails always snap off after a few casts.

I've tied them with a few different tails. Am I doing something wrong?

_SHig

[Bob Laskodi]

Pheasant tails are indeed quite weak. But, I suggest you look at your casting stroke first as it sounds like you are breaking them off on your cast. Much like snapping off a fly while casting, you are applying too much force on the cast and only snapping off the tails. But, yes indeed, pheasant tails are pretty fragile. You might try coating them with Flexament to help reinforce them a bit.

[Charlie Gonzales]

Do you load up on the water, or slap water on either casting stroke?

[Jgoding]

Does the whole tail snap off or just the tips? I've never had the problem even on sizes 20 and smaller. If its the whole tail it could be they're weakened at the tie in point too much but if it's just the tips then that's a more difficult problem. Flexament might help or even something like Tuffcoat might help. You have a pic of your flies by chance, before and after??

[Mr T]

Goofy as it may seem, I had this issue with some tails a long time ago. The shade was perfect and I loved the way they tied, but the tips were very brittle. Someone suggested soaking them in some water with a few drops of hair conditioner for about an hour and it worked like a charm.

[SHigSpeed]

Yeah, my casting stroke does leave much to be desired, so that probably doesn't help. I don't "crack the whip" but I'm not immune to hitting water behind me on occasion.

Fly:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3430/3996714861_0a29463a8e_b.jpg

I may try some cement or just give up and use biots instead! :) I also may have crappy feathers...

_SHig

[David Lee]

The 'trick' to using Pheasant tail .....

Take the whole rump-patch (we don't need any stinkin' single tail feathers ...) , roll it up , and stuff it into your mouth . Suck on the Pheasant rump for about 1/2 hour . That should do the job !!

(try the water w/ the hair conditioner ......)

David

[Jgoding]

LOL David. Shig, have an after picture? The conditioner trick sounds good to me too. Also, how do you remove your tail material? cut or peel? If you're peeling it, it may produce a weak spot where you grabbed it. Also, is that golden pheasant or ring neck tail??

[SHigSpeed]

"Just a pinch between the cheek and gum..."

_SHig

[frequent flyer]

The tips of pheasant tail fibers are just inherently weak, so everyone has that problem, though casting could make it worse. I'd suggest using something else - turkey, hen back fibers, moose body hair (strongest), etc. It's a real pain when the rest of the fly is in perfect shape, but the tails come off after one fish!

[Darian]

Haven't experienced this problem, myself. After seeing the photo, I'm wondering why the tail fibers don't have any flue on them, just stem (or am I seeing things :confused: ).... :?: Altho, I don't tie too many of that pattern any longer, I tied the tail in shorter than yours. Could that be part of the problem :?:

[JD]

I'd tend to agree with those who recommend shortening the tail. I'd also get another tail section of PT because I think the one you have is too dainty. If you could also get away with a few more fibers in the tail, I would do so.

Inevitably though, you are going to lose the tail because PT is too fragile. You could try wood duck or partridge instead. Biots wouldn't quite work right on that pattern, but they are generally a good material as well. Other than that, you can either ignore the tails coming off or tie more flies and replace as necessary...

[k.hanley]

Shig it's because you squeezed the trigger late. Swing through and lead the bird....

I know, I know, I just broke a major rule of mine, trying to be funny on a b-board. It rarely works. Sorry for taking up the bandwidth but I couldn't resist.
Cheers, Ken

[SHigSpeed]

Shig it's because you squeezed the trigger late. Swing through and lead the bird....

I know, I know, I just broke a major rule of mine, trying to be funny on a b-board. It rarely works. Sorry for taking up the bandwidth but I couldn't resist.
Cheers, Ken

Nah man, that's my technique for catch and release hunting and feather harvesting. I only take the good part of the bird and let the rest go for next time! :)

That reminds me that I need to get a paintball deer tag for this upcoming season...

_SHig

[jbird]

Shig.

I like to use barred mallard flank for tails. They are stronger, come in a bunch of dyed colors and are dirt cheap.

Also I have found pheasant to get brittle with age, same with peacock.

[oldtrout]

Call Jim at Springcreek Prams. I picked up some PT from him last year in several colors and it's excellent.
http://www.springcreekprams.com/new_page_4.htm

[Jgoding]

Shig, what do you shoot? I used to play way back in the day.

[SHigSpeed]

Shig, what do you shoot? I used to play way back in the day.

Heh, I don't actually have a "marker". Just goofin' on the idea of sustainable deer hunting. I have too many hobbies as it is! :)

_SHig