1) Secure the white
thread just behind the eye and wrap back to the bend. Be
sure the thread is "unwound" to wrap flat. At the bend, tie
in a small bundle of fibers trimmed from a kingfisher flank
feather, one of the duller varieties found on the skin.
Length should be 3/4 to a full shank in length, leaving the
tips uneven. Lash the butt ends to the top of the shank
while bringing the thread forward to one hook eye width
behind the eye.
2) Tie in the tag end of the
silver wire on the far side of the hook near the eye.
Smoothly wind the thread back to the bend lashing the wire
to the far side. The excess should extend out beyond the
bend.
3) Cut a section of brown
floss about three inches long and tie this in at the bend.
The excess should be over the bend, and you should leave
enough to wrap over when winding forward with the tying
thread. Bring the thread to about halfway up the shank.
Smooth out the floss by stroking it gently away from the
hook, then wind it in flat, smooth touching turns to the
tying thread. Tie off with just two tight turns of thread
and clip the excess.
4) Now cut a section of white
floss and tie in just in front of the brown. Bring the
thread to one hook eye width behind the eye, then wrap the
floss to it and tie it off. Clip the excess.
5) Whip finish the white
thread, clip, then attach the black thread just behind the
eye. Wind back to the white floss. Spiral the silver wire
forward four of five turns, tie off and clip the excess.
6) Select a feather from the
back of the kingfisher skin where the feathers are brilliant
turquoise. The fibers should be about one and a half times
the hook gap. Gently stroke the fibers so they stand out
from the stem and tie the feather in by its tip with three
tight turns of thread. Take one full turn with the feather,
tie off, and clip the excess. TIP: To help keep the
feather from slipping out when winding, apply a small drop
of cement to the tie-in area and allow a moment for it to
dry.
7) Smooth out the head with
the tying thread, whip finish, and cement well for a glossy
look.
|
