Home made Mackerel feathers !

maghouse · #1 07-01-2007, 11:00 AM

Saw this method on another forum

so decided to have a go ....

So in my best Blue Peter accent - here's some I made earlier ... best bit FREE - well apart from the 99p washing line ... should be able to make 998 sets from one washing line !

As you can see - made from short lengths of washing line (the nylony stuff inside - not the steel wired type !) Absolute doddle to make ... proof will be tommorow off the pier

steve devon · #2 07-01-2007, 11:23 AM

They look pretty good! Will have to post instructions for makin em sumwere

Old Smoothound · #3 07-01-2007, 06:38 PM

Yep they look pretty good. Tell us how you get on fishing with them.

maghouse · #4 07-09-2007, 08:15 PM

Here you go then - how to make free feathers !

1. Get the ingredients - make sure the washing line has the nylony inner - not the steel wire unless you want the Lesser spotted Shark Mackerel !

2. Use 20lb clear line - tie 5 dropper loops with a big loop and cut one end of the loop near to the know thus leaving 9" - 12" of line

3. Tie a swivel & lead link to either end.

4. Score around the sheath of the washing line (not cutting the inner core) and strip off the sheath - like you would for wiring a plug ...

5. Make sure you have around 1" of core showing and leave enough of the sheath equal to the hook shank

6. The next bit hurts if you are not careful ! Grip the hook with some pliers and wiggle the eye through the sheath as shown - make sure you get it the right way round ! If you can, cover the hook point cos when you slip (when not if

) you stab yourself in your finger & it bloody hurts !)

7. The sheath over the hook ready ...

8. Ruffle the core a little bit to make it feathery ...

9. Tie onto the previously made rig - dont forget a small red bead - imitates the red gill plates apparently ?

10. Go catch fish

wellyfish · #5 07-09-2007, 09:15 PM

nice one ,there will be a few

housewives around my street tomorrow when they go to put the washing out

have you tried them out yet

BaggieRich · #6 07-09-2007, 10:21 PM

Top post mate. Can't wait to see you pull something out with 'em.

Fishing Forum Admin · #7 07-10-2007, 04:13 AM

Great pics mate

audiracer · #8 07-10-2007, 05:48 AM

Still waiting to read the catch report on the makkie feathers- any news??

Drew · #9 07-10-2007, 07:08 AM

Hi all,

Great pictures and detailed instructions, quite a bit easier than my method.

My $100 question, can you within an inch or two tie more than two drop knots accurately?

When you purchase a set of feathers they are spaced out within half an inch, however as much as I have tried I cannot within an inch tie more than two knots the same distance appart.

Cheers

Drew

maghouse · #10 07-10-2007, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by audiracer

Still waiting to read the catch report on the makkie feathers- any news??

Not yet - not had chance to test them out, had a session on the pier last week in really poor conditions so never had chance but soon ....

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drew

Hi all,

Great pictures and detailed instructions, quite a bit easier than my method.

My $100 question, can you within an inch or two tie more than two drop knots accurately?

When you purchase a set of feathers they are spaced out within half an inch, however as much as I have tried I cannot within an inch tie more than two knots the same distance appart.

Cheers

Drew

BUT - this is my cunning plan - have you ever seen 5 little feather fish all 5.8" apart exactly ? nope - me neither so the randon knot placement will fool the fish to thinking - they must be real !

No - its bloody hard work to get the knots in the right place - I am sure there is a method but I dont know what it is !

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