Quill Gordon

[Broadheadscreek]

Here is a Quill Gordon tyed with pre stripped peacock eye from Rumpf as you can see it creates a great looking segmentation. I purchased a number of these after sorting through about 50 of them to get what I considered to be a decent quill.
Which is the real Quill Gordan?

The fly below is a Red Quill .

 

[NJpatbee]

The multi-shade quill look is something I rarely can achieve with the quills I have used, and I often resort to using yellow thread as the underbody and leaving the tiniest of gaps between wraps of the quill for contrast.

Did you get these at a local shop where you could sift through them?-

 

[Broadheadscreek]

Hi NJPB,

Yes I get them through A&A up in Blakeslee I didn't check to see if there were any left when I was there last week I'll get up after the show and check for if you would like.

 

[Andy B]

I guess this is where I differ from the rest. I do not see a reason to buy this product when I can take a piece of select herl from my stock and strip it rather quickly with a good gummy eraser. I just believe that the quill is only as good as the stock it came from. Now a days I like to look at the herl I buy to see if I am getting good quality or junk. I guess this one comes down to each his own.

 

[Mayfly]

Okay, I'll say it. While a nice tie, the fly looks more like a Red Quill then it does a Quill Gordon. Totally agree with Andy. If you can, go select some peacock eyes and strip your own. Takes, regardless of the method used, only a minute to strip the herl off of the quill. Through selection and preparation you get a much better quill and it follows, a nicer looking fly.

Just my $0.02.

Allan

 

[Broadheadscreek]

I agree with you all the way Andy but as a matter of time I preffer to go this route as you don't have to sift through a million feathers to get what you need and you end up with the same result. Now if I were tying a batch of fly's for presentation I woud go the route you do as to keep it traditional.

And Mayfly they are simular and kind of do look alike I posted a Red Quill at the top of this thread so you could see what they look like. Thank you for your input!!

 

[JeffK]

That looks good to me. Quill bodied flies are ones I always buy, although the biot bodied flies work pretty much the same.

 

[NJpatbee]

Hi NJPB,

Yes I get them through A&A up in Blakeslee I didn't check to see if there were any left when I was there last week I'll get up after the show and check for if you would like.

Yes - I would appreciate it.

 

[NJpatbee]

I guess this is where I differ from the rest. I do not see a reason to buy this product when I can take a piece of select herl from my stock and strip it rather quickly with a good gummy eraser. I just believe that the quill is only as good as the stock it came from. Now a days I like to look at the herl I buy to see if I am getting good quality or junk. I guess this one comes down to each his own.

It may be the herl that I have access to, but I have been stripping them myself for years and only once in a blue moon do I get the classic multi-shade look. I cannot find a good digital representation quickly, but if you can, check out Dick Talleur's Quill Gordon in one of his fly-tying instruction books. I cannot get that effect unless I leave a small gap between the wraps over a yellow, olive, or white thread base.

For the record, my Quill Gordon's catch plenty of trout, but I still want to duplicate the classic tie.

 

[Burtbords149]

The trick is, like AK says to use herl from a South Indian Peacock....In all seriousness does anyone use a light thread, then make a few wraps over the body and head cement the whole thing. This is how I've seen Mary Dette tie hers, for durability, so this is how I tie mine.

Here is a Quill Gordon that she tied, see if you can pick out what I mean.

<center>

</center>

 

[Mayfly]

Quill Gordons by:

Richard Ross
Quill Gordon

Bob Petti:
Quill Gordon

Loren Williams:
Quill Gordon

In addition to the photo of the one tied by Mary Dette (btw, did you notice the proportions?), these are some examples of nice segmented bodies.

Allan

 

[Burtbords149]

Allan great call on the proportions, that's the Catskill school of fly tying right there. It's amazing how much a stripped Peacock eye resembles the color and segmentation of an actual Quill Gordon dun, Theodore Gordon certainly knew what he was doing.

 

[Broadheadscreek]

Yep they all look like Quill Gordons and everyone is different and everyone has a different tying style. I shure would like to see one that you tye then we could compare them all..

Quill Gordons by:

Richard Ross
Quill Gordon

Bob Petti:
Quill Gordon

Loren Williams:
Quill Gordon

In addition to the photo of the one tied by Mary Dette (btw, did you notice the proportions?), these are some examples of nice segmented bodies.

Allan

 

[Burtbords149]

Lucky for you folks I'm tying right now, let's see what I can whip up.

 

[Broadheadscreek]

The trick is, like AK says to use herl from a South Indian Peacock....In all seriousness does anyone use a light thread, then make a few wraps over the body and head cement the whole thing. This is how I've seen Mary Dette tie hers, for durability, so this is how I tie mine.

Here is a Quill Gordon that she tied, see if you can pick out what I mean.


<CENTER>

</CENTER>

Is this a Quill Gordon ? You bet nice tye and I'm sure it will catch you a bunch of fish even though it dosn't match a plate in a book good shot BB !!

 

[Burtbords149]

that is a Quill Gordon tied by Mary Dette herself, I didn't take that shot....I did take and tie this one though....give me some criticism I already have my opinion as to what is wrong with it.
****click on photo to enlarge****

 

[Matt Grobert]

that is a Quill Gordon tied by Mary Dette herself, I didn't take that shot....I did take and tie this one though....give me some criticism I already have my opinion as to what is wrong with it.
****click on photo to enlarge****

Burt,

Nothing to criticize, that's a nice tie.

Keep up the good work. Hope to see you at the show.

Matt ><)))))'>

 

[Broadheadscreek]

I agree with Matt keep at it you are doing a great job and it will catch fish!!

 

[Burtbords149]

It's definitely one of my better ones, but the wings were a bit heavy if you saw it in person. Thank you for the compliments though. Hope to see you at the show as well Matt...will you be tying or just spectating?

 

[AKSkim]

It's definitely one of my better ones, but the wings were a bit heavy if you saw it in person. Thank you for the compliments though. Hope to see you at the show as well Matt...will you be tying or just spectating?

Alright... alright...

Since you're "fishing" for compliments...

Looking good there Old Burt.. Lookin-good.



.


.

This fly has received the AK Skim seal of approval for viewing on NEFF.

 

[Matt Grobert]

It's definitely one of my better ones, but the wings were a bit heavy if you saw it in person. Thank you for the compliments though. Hope to see you at the show as well Matt...will you be tying or just spectating?

The only critic that really matters is the fish, and they'll suck that in like the natural!

I'll be at the authors booth all three days and doing a presentation Saturday. It's not in the program flyer as I was going to take a break from this one, but they called me the other day and asked me to reconsider coming. It'll be fun. Stop by and say hi...that goes for the rest of you, too.

Matt ><)))))'>

 

[AKSkim]

The only critic that really matters is the fish, and they'll suck that in like the natural!

I'll be at the authors booth all three days and doing a presentation Saturday. It's not in the program flyer as I was going to take a break from this one, but they called me the other day and asked me to reconsider coming. It'll be fun. Stop by and say hi...that goes for the rest of you, too.

Matt ><)))))'>

If I bring your book along, will you autograph it for me?

If the answer is yes, I just don't want a single line like happy fishing or don't let the bears eat you. I want something that the grandkids will say, "Look, the old fu ck really knew the author."

But if you just do the "Best wishes, Matt"... then I won't bring it along.

Or show up at the author’s booth because you wouldn't write a long history of our friendship and that I was the best fly fisherman in the state of <ST1New Jersey </ST1in my time.

Or about my fly tying skills...

… and another thing don't forget to add it was me that inspired you into writing such a classic book on fishing <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com

</st1:State><ST1New Jersey.

Besides you’re the writer, add some more things to make me look good too....

Better yet, I'll bring a hard bound book that you can really put it all into. yeah.. I like that idea better....

<O</Oand don't forget to add that it was ME, AK SKIM that got you started in fly fishing.

Don't forget to also put in the inscription that it was ME who worked with the City of <st1:City w:st="on">Newark</st1:City> and got the water release agreement put together for the P<st1laceName w:st="on">equannock</st1laceName> <st1laceType w:st="on">River</st1laceType> after many years of failed negations.

.. and another thing don't forget to add the story that it was ME; in the winter of oh-nine who threw his body in front of the mud slide coming off Rt. 287, and saved all the fish in the Passaic River.

Let me know if you come up with any other suggestions, I hope you don't get afflicted with writers block when I show up.

AK Skim, your hero and mine.

 

[Matt Grobert]

If I bring your book along, will you autograph it for me? Yes

If the answer is yes, I just don't want a single line like happy fishing or don't let the bears eat you. I want something that the grandkids will say, "Look, the old fu ck really knew the author." I can come up with something very creative, like, "It was really, really fun fishing with you all these years, maybe someday you'll put down the Corona and actually fish!"

But if you just do the "Best wishes, Matt"... then I won't bring it along. None of that sappy stuff, agreed.

Or show up at the author’s booth because you wouldn't write a long history of our friendship and that I was the best fly fisherman in the state of <ST1New Jersey </ST1in my time. Just New Jersey? I was going to write about your worldwide fishing skill set that is second to none!

Or about my fly tying skills... Again, who can compete?

… and another thing don't forget to add it was me that inspired you into writing such a classic book on fishing <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com

</st1:State><ST1New Jersey. Why would I lie?

Besides you’re the writer, add some more things to make me look good too.... Like when you caught a 2" parr and swallowed it on the spot because you were afraid if you released it, it might get eaten by a carnivorous, night feeding brown?

Better yet, I'll bring a hard bound book that you can really put it all into. yeah.. I like that idea better.... You have to come up with a title though.

<O</Oand don't forget to add that it was ME, AK SKIM that got you started in fly fishing. I'm ever so greatful.

Don't forget to also put in the inscription that it was ME who worked with the City of <st1:City w:st="on">Newark</st1:City> and got the water release agreement put together for the P<st1laceName w:st="on">equannock</st1laceName> <st1laceType w:st="on">River</st1laceType> after many years of failed negations. No problem, I'll also add that it was you who ratted out Sharpe James and got the ball rolling on the Prudential Center.

.. and another thing don't forget to add the story that it was ME; in the winter of oh-nine who threw his body in front of the mud slide coming off Rt. 287, and saved all the fish in the Passaic River. Thank God, if not for you that river would be toast. Nice going. I'll dust the mud off you when it dries.

Let me know if you come up with any other suggestions, I hope you don't get afflicted with writers block when I show up. No, but my pen might run out of ink.

AK Skim, your hero and mine. In the words of my red-headed, hard-headed Irish grandfather, "Where's the brandy? Where's the G-D brandy? How the hell do you expect me to sleep if I don't have my brandy? Jesus, Mary, and Josephine, where the hell is the brandy?"

See you at the show. Matt ><)))))'>

 

[AKSkim]

UMmmm....

I'm not sure if you are just mocking me...

Only time will tell.

 

[trico mike]

I like to use goose or turkey biots for my flies. I know it's not the proper historical way to tie a quill gordon but boy do they look good and there is no issue of finding good material. Just rember to soak them in warm water first or they will split.

 

[Green Highlander]

Not to be critical, but the only fly posted with the proper proportions was the one mayfly posted by Richard Ross...all of the others need some work

Emmett

 

[AKSkim]

See you at the show. Matt ><)))))'>

Oh sure.....

 

[klg neighbor]

See you at the show. Matt ><)))))'>

Will you be tying the Dr.Seuss at the show?

 

[Matt Grobert]

I will if you want, sans the hat...you have to do your magic with that.:dizzy: Those things should start to show in a couple of weeks.

I'm heading out now, 10am presentation, see you there.

Matt ><)))))'>

 

[Burtbords149]

Not to be critical, but the only fly posted with the proper proportions was the one mayfly posted by Richard Ross...all of the others need some work

Emmett

If we're being critical here, I tend to disagree. The one by Mr. Ross has wings that are quite sparse. Granted my wings were too long and too heavy but his a barely there...excellent positioning of the body and hackle though. Maybe it's just my inner flyfishing romantic coming out but I have a love for the Dette style of a nice clean neck right before the eye of the hook.