Ray's excellent SBS reminded me of some dubbing I got from Glasgow Angling Centre. It's from a giant shrew (their name, I don't what it is).. It looks to be a good sub for water rat. The biggest downside is the cost especially for postage.

This picture shows Kelson's knee Cap hackle feather:

I guess Nemes didn't think that laying a feather on top of an illustration was rocket science.

"The Soft Hackle Fly Addict" by Nemes has a feather size chart.

The jay feather is the best sub for landrail hackle.

From Edmonds and Lee: "If the dotterel feather is unobtainable a feather from the under coverts of a young Starling's wing makes a fair substitute".
For the red spider chukar tail and jay wings have suitable feathers. http://softhacklepatternbook.blogspot.c ... pider.html

Bill

This shop might be able to provide the correct feather if shown a picture in an email. I was able to get some at any rate.
http://wildgamechanger.com/t/wild-turkey-feathers
Tom, thanks for trying out my wax. I hope you like it.

Bill

Some pictures:

In his book “Tying Flies in the Irish Style”, EJ Malone wrote that “The older generation of Irish fly tyers were quick to realize that some desired colours could more easily be obtained by a judicious mixing of the dyed furs and not only did the colours look more natural to the human eye – the fish ...