Biot Body Soft Hackle
Biots the fibers from the leading edge of primary flight feathers of Turkeys, Geese, and Ducks can be used for making fly bodies illustrated above. Depending on how the biot is wrapped, you can form a smooth body or ribbed body.
Turkey biots are larger and allow for tying bigger flies. Canadian Goose biots are marked on edge and make attractive segmented bodies. Duck biots are small and are best used for tails or wings on flies such as the Prince Nymph. Pull the biot from the feather. Pulling the biot gives a biot of maximum length and gives a clue to the orientation of the biot for wraping. Pull the biot from the feather; a notch is seen on the biot.
Biot Notch
Tie the biot onto the hook at a 45-degree angle with the notch pointed toward the eye of the hook. Wrap in touching turns to produce a ribbed body. Point the notch toward the rear of the hook and wrap in overlapping turns to form a smooth body.
This entire process is described on page 113 of The Fly Tiers Benchside Reference by Ted Leeson and Jim Schollmeyer.
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