FLYMPH FORUM

In Allen McGee's book titled "Fly-Fishing Soft Hackles (Nymphs, Emergers, and Dry Flies), he demonstrates the use of permanent markers to color hackle. See page 27. Allen lists many colors of Prismacolor marker, which he uses to match different insects. I spent some time tracking down the Prismacolor marker numbers for each color (see list below) and may eventually buy a set of markers to play around with.

PRISMACOLOR MARKERS:
Yellowed Orange (PM-015)
Sunburst Yellow (PM-017)
Tulip Yellow (PM-021)
Light Olive Green (PM-026)
Dark Olive (PM-028)
Dark Umber (PM-061)
Golden Rod (PM-069)
Walnut (PM-090)
Light Tan (PM-095)
Cool Gray (PM-113)
Cool Gray (PM-114)
Deco Yellow (PM-131)
Light Umber (PM-172)

Has anyone tried this themselves? How effectively does it work, and how durable is the color in fishing conditions?

I have used them for years, before Allen published his book. Joe Fox told me that Mary used them on quill bodies. I have used them on quill bodies and horse hair.

I have used them on hackle but the results were not great. It's something I only pursue using them when I'm messing around.

I use them for lots of things. Mostly, for coloring thread or silk. I've tried to change the color of quills with limited success and it you want to color a white hen feather you can get some interesting colors... but can't say I'd invest in the whole set until I'd tried a couple to see if they do what you want.

A lot of great stuff in that book... My own experience has been the markers don't cure well on feathers (or thread), and that the color rubs off easily and fades when wet, but it occurs to me in writing this that I haven't (yet) tried adding vinegar...

I have not used Prismacolor.

I am a Sharpie using machine tho.

Like DUBBN, I too use Sharpies. But I have only colored the thread with them and have never thought to color quills and certainly not hackle. But it's now going to happen.

I read that coloring hackle with KOOL-AID works too, but wouldn't fishing with KOOL-AID colored hackle just wash out?

I have colored sparingly with markers in the past but only because I did n’t give them much thought. Now however when I come up against and unusual color I’ll think about my ability to obtain it via marker. The horse tail hair that was almost clear white similar to polar bear took the marker quite well. I find feathers not as agreeable with markers but will do in a pinch.

Chugbug I agree that McGee’s book has a lot of good STUFF in it.

I’ve got a heap of Pantone markers I use for latex, foam, kapok, synthetic materials, thread... but in my experience they just don’t work well on feathers..

I haven't had much good luck on using the markers on feathers but have used them on some threads for a color change. My biggest use is the red Prismacolor pen on hare's ear to make a reddish colored hare's ear dubbing to tie the Edmonds' & Lee's 8b March Browns!

Bob