One of the simplest and most inexpensive ways to make a salmon fly look great is to have a properly shaped golden pheasant crest. Many tyers literally spend hours creating a "perfect" fly only to use a topping that is crooked, twisted or ill-shaped. In the following I will describe several methods of straightening and using golden pheasant crests for tails and toppings.

Bear in mind all crests come from living bird. Unless the bird was a genetic deviant, its crest feathers were straight. It's only through rough handling and improper storage that the crests have become crooked. Straightening the crest involves relaxing the feather, allowing it to resume its natural position, then holding that position.

One method of accomplishing this is with a steam iron. (Note: for this method use very HOT steam, not the type which comes from vaporizer type devices.) Fill the iron with water. If your local water supply has a heavy mineral content, you may want to use distilled water as it will prolong the life of the iron. Set the iron to one of the higher steam settings and allow it to warm.

Now to straighten a crest: hold the crest horizontally against a table or some other flat surface that will not be damaged by the hot steam, in a position opposite to the present irregular shape. Pass the steam slightly above the feather. Avoid touching the feather with the iron as it might burn. Remember, whatever position the feather is held in when the steam is applied is the new shape the feather assumes.

This method works very well and is quick. Many crests can be straightened at once, and if stored properly, will remain that way until needed. There is one drawback to this method. If the feather is exposed to high humidity over a period of time, it will tend to revert back to its crooked shape. This occurs because the feather was set in a crooked position much longer than it was set in a straightened position.

The second crest straightening method is allowing the feather to remain in a relaxed position until ready to use, then setting it in the proper position. To accomplish this, pluck the crests and place them in a jar with the following solution: 4 parts of water, 1 part alcohol, and 1 or 2 drops of glycerin. The alcohol helps prevent the solution from souring, but it will remove some of the natural oils from the feathers. That's where the glycerin helps, but it's really potent stuff, so use sparingly. (Note: glycerin is available in most drug stores.)

When a fly is started, remove a few crests from the jar and place them on their sides on a horizontal surface. By the time you get to the topping, the crests will be dry and straight.

Now that you know how to straighten crest feathers, here are a few hints for using them. Many patterns specifically call for two or three feathers in the topping. Well, why not do the same for the tail? I have found most flies look best when at least two crest feathers are used in both the tail and topping, even if the pattern doesn't specify it. Also, crest feathers follow the same rules we 'use on other feathers. There are lefts, rights and centers; and each should be used accordingly.

I hope the preceding will be of benefit to salmon fly tyers. If any instruction remains unclear, or if there are any questions, please feel free to ask them in this newsletter and I will be most happy to respond.