Reply To: Tying peacock herl

Thanks Ken for the video link. I have in the past tried to strip herls chemically with bleach and baking soda. My quills came out either over bleached or to brittle to use. I found years ago the method of using an eraser. I normally tie flies in batches of 6. So, it was no big deal for me to erase 6 or 7 herls.

Also, read the comments below the video. Many tiers had a problem with the chemical method or at least the baking soda as a neutralizer, but preferred vinegar. That could have been why my quills turned out poorly.

In the end game I think what we have learned is to buy quality peacock eyes with more feathers on the left side.