Watching Mikael Frödin tying recently, I was struck by how Scandinavian tube flies continue to develop: wide, water pushing cones, long flowing head hackles … you can guess where this is going. Mikael finished most of his flies that day with one or two turns of ostrich hackle at the head – brilliant effect.

These are small ostrich body feathers (spadones). Sizes vary and all are useable; in fact, all of each feather is useable. The stem tapers in the usual way, thinner at the tip. Tied in by the tip, it ain’t hard to finish several flies from each plume. As an alternative, treat as a ‘Spey hackle’ and the effect is bushy and attractive.

Available in a range of salmon fly colours.

• Price £5.99 for 10 plumes
• From Glasgow Angling Centre
(Tel. 0870 920 1120)