Fishing The Fly Scotland

Index => Fly Tying => Topic started by: James Laraway on 01/02/2024 at 20:20

Title: Can you...
Post by: James Laraway on 01/02/2024 at 20:20
Can you 'dye' feathers (white hen or grizzle) with a permanent marker instead of buying lots of capes?

I'm trying some grizzle hen with a blue pro marker and they look excellent but will the colour hold?

Thoughts/ experiences ?!!;!
Title: Re: Can you...
Post by: James Laraway on 02/02/2024 at 10:40
So i think they looks pretty good

(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/11649-020224103955.jpeg)

soaked a fly using the feather overnight in water and its still blue so maybe it will work as a technique ?
Title: Re: Can you...
Post by: Mike Barrio on 02/02/2024 at 11:50
Looking good James, I imagine it would hold - there's only one way to find out  *smiley-wink*
Title: Re: Can you...
Post by: Robert MacDonald-Lewis on 05/02/2024 at 09:17
I have done this, and it worked well, I have also used permanent markers on the calf tails and various synthetic fibres.

You can also use permanent markers to tint UV resins. Colour in a spot on a piece of tin foil and then put a bit of resin beside it and mix the two until you get the colour you want.
Title: Re: Can you...
Post by: James Laraway on 05/02/2024 at 09:46
i like the idea of tinting the UV resin with the pens - excellent 'hack'

I have actually ordered myself a 'natural' grizzly hen cape so that i can utilise the technique some more without breaking the bank
Title: Re: Can you...
Post by: Magnus Angus on 27/02/2024 at 10:08
Have you seen Dylon pens - basically marker pens, the pigment is fixed with a little heat.

AND :) some years ago I saw someone dying feathers in tiny batches using a bowl of water and a microwave. or - Phil White would dissolve some dye in a jar of boiling water with some vinegar- add feathers and leave it overnight.

Title: Re: Can you...
Post by: James Laraway on 28/02/2024 at 11:29
here is an attempt with 'pen dying' grizzle hen hackles - claret and blue ordie


(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/11649-280224112915.jpeg)