Porcupine quill bobbers

[Charles E. "Skip" Bird]

I have been having trouble locating some of my favorite quill bobbers: natural quills, wire loop at the bottom, small rubber band around the middle of the quill. Does anyone have any good sources for these?

[robsabloke]

Hey Skip...
If you Google 'Quill fishing floats'... there are several sources there... most of these however are based in the UK.

As an alternative I highly recommend checking out Mick Thills selection of floats. Mick is a World Champion Angler born is the US but lived in England much of his life where he discovered the art of float fishing. His floats are very reasonably priced and I feel sure you can find something every bit as sensitive as the old Peacock Quills we used to use as kids.

They are sold by Lindy so check out Lindyfishingtackle.com and see what they have to offer.

When the page comes up click on Thill on the left side and then click on Gold Medal. On the next page click on floats. I think you will find what you are looking for on pages 4 and 5. On page 5 there is a float called a shy bite and a super shy bite... These floats are every bit as sensitive as a quill... if not... more so.

Another nice thing about the floats is the packaging. On the back of each package it tells you exactly how many BB's you need to balance the float perfectly.... assuming you want it balanced and not laying flat on the surface of the water...

I have used Micks floats since he came back to the US 25 years ago... he is a Master of Float Fishing and has put his World Championship experience into a very fine product.

I hope this helps you out...

Tight Lines

Rob

[Charles E. "Skip" Bird]

Thank you for the reply and helpful information. I am familiar with Mick and his floats; he has often been at our annual Northwest Indiana Steelheaders Spring Fever Outdoor Show. I found him knowledgeable and his floats nicely engineered. I guess I was just feeling nostalgic about the old porcupine quill bobbers, since I used them almost exclusively when I wormed for bluegills, sunfish, etc.

[Jeremy R. Mayo]

Hey skip have you got a picture of these bobbers? If there the same as what I think Then all my local bait shops carry them. I can send you a few.

[robsabloke]

Hi Skip... I have a few of my own... most of them are small and they are old... I brought them with me from England. They may need a new paint job and some new binding thread around the brass loop at the bottom... but I will send you a couple if you would like me to. I just checked my float box and I have about 12... they are small about 6'' so I don't know if they would suit your purpose... but if you want, I can stick half-a-dozen in a small tube and mail em off to you.

Just let me know.

Tight Lines
Rob

[Charles E. "Skip" Bird]

That would be great! But only if you allow me to send you something in return. Please include your return address with the package.

Skip

[robsabloke]

The Lindy fishing tackle store also carries a package of different sized Rubber band for the floats... really is worth a look.
Send me your address Skip in a private message. Remember these quills are quite small and thin and at least 30 years old.... so hopefully they will suit your purpose.

As for the 'something in return' absolutely no need for that... if you can't help out a fellow bluegill fisherman... who can you help out

Tight Lines

Rob

[Lord of the Fly , Rods]

try substuting o rings for the rubber bands

[Charles E. "Skip" Bird]

Thanks for the suggestion. I Googled o-rings, and of course, I found more about them than I need to know, but I did find several sources of the small, rubber rings I am looking for. I appreciate your help.

Skip

[Pat Moseley]

Bass Pro Shops sells a wide variety of Thill floats. I recently picked several up for myself. I was there looking for small lead head jigs and was quite disappointed in the selection. Last Friday, my dad and I were there looking for a 3 wt. line for my new custom built bluegill flyrod and I found all the tiny lead head jigs I needed in the Fly Fishing Shop. They have a wonderful selection from 1/100 oz. to 1/32 oz. They were very reasonably priced at 3.99 for a card of 12. Good luck!

[Charles E. "Skip" Bird]

Was this Fly Fishing Shop a part of Bass Pro Shops? We have one close by and I could use some tiny jigs myself.

Skip

[GLENN MARTIN MILLER]

Just got a "Grizzly Jigs" catalog. They have a limited number of Quills in ^" and 9" on page 51.
Their phone number is 1-800-305-9866. hope this helps.

[10.5" RES Sharon]

What would I look under to find the Quills online? Grizzly Jigs doesn't list floats or bobbers or quills. Not even under accessories.