using rooster pheasant neck feathers

[Izaak]

Hi All! New to the forum. What a great place!

I'll get right to it......What can you tell me about using the dark blueish-green feathers on the pheasant neck for hackle? I have seen Hans use it for a couple of his patterns and would appreciate hearing of your experience or thoughts about using it, e.g. size limitations, ease of use, etc. I'd love to see any photos of patterns you have tied using it!

Thanks!

[Mike Connor]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vI8ATG92UY

There are one or two flies which use iridescent pheasant hackle, the one above, "the Goat's Toe" is probably the most well known.

Some info on using various pheasant feathers;

http://www.jackgartside.com/art_pheasant_feathers.htm

http://wcflies.com/blog/2008/10/pheasan ... t-hackles/

TL
MC

[DNicolson]

Welcome to the Forum, Mike has the info for you ok.
That fly, the "Goat's Toe" is a very popular fly in all sizes, for Atlantic Salmon, Sea-run Brown trout and loch (lake) brownies. It is used a lot here in Scotland and in Ireland.

[Izaak]

Thanks Donald!

Mike - I watched the Davie McPhail video. The Goat's Toe reminds me of the "Carey Special" very popular in the northern Rocky Mountains and especially in British Columbia. Tied with pheasant rump feathers, natural or dyed, I have used it successfully to catch high mountain lake Cutthroat trout. I'll have to get me some peacock neck feathers though. Very nice looking!

[JohnP]

I was just thinking of the Carey Special. Great fly, in all its permutations. I had good luck last year with a version tied with a red dubbed body, gold oval wire rib, and pheasant rump for the tail and hackle.

[Kelly L.]

John, you wouldn't happen to have a photo of that Carey Special would you? I tied a couple of them a couple of years ago or so, very nice flies. I should make more.