Hair wings

[Bugslinger]

I just started tying flies. I was wondering if I could use Antron yarn for hair wings like on a Royal Wullf. All I could find at Bass Pro was some craft hair and it looked a little sloppy when I used it. Thanks for any help or tips.

[narcodog]

You bet you can use it.

[David Knapp]

Try polypropylene yarn instead of Antron. The poly yarn floats better than the Antron... I use the poly yarn on just about all of my Parachute Adams as well as on some spinner patterns. Definitely easier than working with hair although a good hair wing just looks nice...

[MadisonBoats]

I agree with David...

I try to always use poly for my my wings. However; I do mix in a few pieces of colored antron to add a variegated look.

Some of my favorite combinations are:

• White poly with black antron pieces
• Grey poly with green antron pieces
• Grey poly with black antron pieces and a few crystal flash pieces.

Also; I like to flick a permanent marker through the ends of the wings to help define them.

[Corbo]

Well; I use carded antron in white and two shades of dun and also tan & ginger. I prefer it to polypro which I think looks too FRIZZY and will definitely look too frizzy after it's been in your fly box for a while for some unknown reason.

Some people "loop" the materil around the hook to stand it up-right but I tie it down on top of the hook as a loop. For smaller flies you may need to cul out a bit of the material if you hitch it down by the loop method.

ANTRON & Zelon are heavy than water; they sink, polypro is lighter and floats... I have never seen floatability as an issue using anron as the hackle legs hold up the fly.

A HUGE advantage to parachutes is that they lay HARD COCKED into the film NOT ON TOP like traditional dries... this is where trout "want" to eat as the bug is more vulnerable stuck in the film. I apply a little floatant ABULENE (MAKE-UP REMOVER) to the hackle only.

Keep your wing post fairly short... too long and you defeat the purpose of the parachute concept and the fly may land on it's side or topple over when on the water.

I've been doing papachutes for at least 20 years and prefer them to shank spun hackled flies and they catch more fish... You might also find that ADDING a small tuft of SLF or a few strands of ZELON in leiu of a traditional tail turns your fly into a much more efficient fish catcher by giving the appearance of a trailing shuck.... a fly that is stuck on water but can't let go of it's shuck appears more vulnerable.

[David Knapp]

Originally Posted by Corbo

I've been doing papachutes for at least 20 years and prefer them to shank spun hackled flies and they catch more fish... You might also find that ADDING a small tuft of SLF or a few strands of ZELON in leiu of a traditional tail turns your fly into a much more efficient fish catcher by giving the appearance of a trailing shuck.... a fly that is stuck on water but can't let go of it's shuck appears more vulnerable.

I'm with you on this one. I mostly use parachutes for all my dries including stoneflies. Just clip off the wing right above the hackle if you do not want the "mayfly" look.

Also, could you elaborate on the floatant you mentioned? This is a new one for me...

[silvercreek]

I like calf body hair for wings on Wulffs. It can be a hassle and does add a lot of bulk to the hook shank, but it has the tapered tips that look right. Try some turkey flats bundled to make the wings. Turkey has the tapered look and is easier to manage. Works well for parachutes as well, although I usually go with poly for those posts. For spinner wings, I go with something more transparent like antron.

[Corbo]

David; ABOLENE is sold in drug stores, it is make-up remover... big white jar with a dark blue lid. works wicked good. It looks white but it melts in your fingers... one jar will last a life time unless all your buddies take a dip. I just fill it into regular floatant bottles.

Click here: http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=55331&aid=336064&aparam=albolene%20ma ke%20up%20remover&scinit1=albolene%20make%20up%20r emover

[MadisonBoats]

Originally Posted by Corbo

David; ABOLENE is sold in drug stores, it is make-up remover... big white jar with a dark blue lid. works wicked good. It looks white but it melts in your fingers... one jar will last a life time unless all your buddies take a dip. I just fill it into regular floatant bottles.

Click here: http://www.drugstore.com/products/pr...20up%20remover

Richard,
You have been holding out on me. I have never heard of this use.

[David Knapp]

Originally Posted by Corbo

David; ABOLENE is sold in drug stores, it is make-up remover... big white jar with a dark blue lid. works wicked good. It looks white but it melts in your fingers... one jar will last a life time unless all your buddies take a dip. I just fill it into regular floatant bottles.

Click here: http://www.drugstore.com/products/pr...20up%20remover

Awesome! Thanks for the tip. I'll be looking into this one...