Hareline Mallard Flank

Hareline Mallard Flank consists of loose feathers from the flank of the mallard, prepared for fly tying. Their distinctive barring and fibre arrangement make them suitable for wings, collars, tails and cheeks. A single feather can be selected for a particular part of the fly and used whole or cut into a specific section. The material also combines well with other feathers and dubbing, creating both flat components and softer, mobile accents.

Construction and use

Mallard flank feathers combine a decorative barred pattern with fibres suited to a wide range of fly details. A section can be cut, folded or tied in with its natural shape intact. Separate the fibres, remove excess material from the base and match the section width to the size of the fly before tying. This keeps the tie-in point slim and preserves the intended outline of a wing, cheek or collar.

• Material: loose mallard flank feathers.
• Uses: wings, collars, tails and cheeks on flies.
• Working: cut sections, fold the feather or tie it in whole.
• Selection: choose an evenly shaped section with a pattern suited to the fly.