Schlappen are large wide and webby feathers that come from the lower saddle area of the rooster, and alongside the tail. The hackles are useful for a number of applications. Saltwater patterns use the schlappen for tails and collars on the largest patterns. The schlappen fibers make great tails, and throats on streamer patterns. Salmon and tube flies often employ schlappen for collars. The feathers have also been used by classic streamer (Carrie Stevens etc.) fly tyers for the tails throats and under shoulder elements of the fancy streamers.
Schlappen has quite long and soft fibers that flow and conform to the water flowing over it. Colors are commonly dyed over a white base, but chinchilla (grizzly-like), bronze (black and white) and other natural base colors can be used. Larger packs and unique colors that don’t appear in the fly shops can often be found on Ebay and Amazon with a bit of searching. The schlappen often comes sewn on a strip, but may also be sold loose, usually as a premium product that has a better quality.
