Tails in Keys Style Tarpon Flies

[mikeq]

Hope someone can help with this...I'm tying up some Keys-style tarpon flies (Cockroaches, Stu Apts, Black Deaths, etc). In tying in the two sets of saddle hackles that make up the tail, should these bend in towards eachother ("praying hands" style), or splay outwards away from one another. The various recipies I have say different things. Does it vary from pattern to pattern. And what would be the advantage (if any) of a splayed tail?

[Ray]

The splaying tails allow the pattern to "pulse". With each short strip the feathers pulse in and out.

If you are using saddle hackle, or any feather, you should bend them first so the colorful side faces out. If you look at the feathers, one side has the vibraint color.

You can do this by soaking the feathers in warm water, then laying them on an empty wine bottle with the labels removed (a pint glass works too). Place the colorful side down and hold them in place with elastic bands.

They should dry over night to assure a good shape.

Ray

[Quicksilver330]

The "Apte Too Original" is tied with the hackles praying hands style. I think all the others have hackles flaring out.

[flytyer]

For the most part, tarpon flies are tied with the tail feathers splayed. Notice that I said for the most part. There are some that are tied with the feathers not spalyed. Take a look at some tarpon flies and you will see that most have a splayed tail.

Generally, neck hackles are used for the tails. The natural curve of the feathers makes the shinny or bright side face in. If they are tied face out then they are not splayed.

A splayed tail allows for more movement in the water causing more of a distubance and vibrations in the water. They simply "push' more water.

I have a web site devoted to saltwater fly tying. Http://www.saltwaterflytying.com. I have numerous lessons of fly tying and one is devoted to the tying of tails on saltwater flies. You might find that helpful.

The featured fly for this month is a Key's Style of Tarpon Fly.

Hope this helped.