ICE BODY QUILL – when a material is born from real need, not from a catalogue
Some materials are created because someone “invented” them. Others emerge because they were missing at the water. ICE BODY QUILL belongs to the second group.
ICE BODY QUILL – Peacock – the best-selling colour of the material.
What is Body Quill and why is it used
Body Quill is a term for materials used primarily to form fly bodies and enhance segmentation. They can be natural (for example peacock quills) or synthetic. You will most often find them on nymphs, midges, wet flies and other technical patterns.
Polish Quills – Hand-stripped Peacock Quills
Natural quills can look beautiful, but they often have limitations: variations in thickness, differences in material, and not always ideal consistency when repeating the same pattern.
Synthetic Body Quills
Synthetic quills were developed as an answer to these limitations. They offer better control over diameter and colour, but in some cases the sheen can look too “plastic” or they may still add bulk that you do not want in technical flies.
From Body Quill to ICE BODY QUILL
ICE BODY QUILL moves the concept of Body Quill to a more technical level. It is a strong synthetic material that is neither wire nor classic thread — in its properties it stands exactly on the border between thread and wire.
The result: the material does not break while tying, can reinforce the body of the fly, withstands trout teeth, and at the same time allows the creation of extremely slim bodies without adding bulk.
Not thread. Not wire. No compromise.
It is not wire — it does not negatively affect the silhouette of the fly. It is not classic thread — it is significantly stronger and functionally reinforces the entire fly body. This balance is exactly why ICE BODY QUILL has become so popular in technical fly tying.
Pearlescent effect that does not disturb
A defining feature of ICE BODY QUILL is its subtle “ice” (pearlescent) effect. Not aggressive, not plastic, not cheap-looking — but naturally interacting with light.
The effect enhances body segmentation, gently breaks up the fly’s silhouette, and works even in deeper water or low-light conditions. That is why the material is especially popular for ribbing nymph and midge bodies and for highlighting tips (butts).
One material, many uses
Although ICE BODY QUILL was originally developed mainly for nymphs and midges, it quickly found its place across the entire spectrum of fly fishing. It is used in nymphs, midges, wet and dry flies, in streamers, and widely in worm patterns, where it amplifies attraction while reinforcing the entire body of the fly.
Examples of use on midges:
Examples of use on nymphs:
A material you can fine-tune with your fingers
One unique property of ICE BODY QUILL is the ability to gently taper it by rubbing it between your fingers. The slight warmth created by friction allows you to reduce the diameter even further without losing colour, pearlescent effect, or strength. This gives the tier extra control over the final body of the fly.
Repeatable colours. No lottery.
The colouring process was developed so that each batch is consistent and colours can be reproduced long-term. A tier can rely on the fact that “the same colour” truly means the same result — which is crucial for systematic tying and competition patterns.
Proven where mistakes are not forgiven
ICE BODY QUILL did not become famous through advertising. At the Junior World Fly Fishing Championships in Slovakia it was among the most used tying materials for nymphs and midges in technically demanding conditions. Not because it was new — but because it worked.
ICE BODY QUILL in practice (video)
Material from practice, not from a catalogue
ICE BODY QUILL is developed, produced and marketed by the brand Thymallus. It was born directly from practice, long-term testing on the water, and the need to create a material that was simply missing on the market.
It is not a mass product. It is not a rebrand. It is a tool for tiers who understand why details matter.
