FLYMPH FORUM

I know from reading the late Jack Gartside that there 101 uses for ringtail pheasant in general flytying, , but I was curious that I don't see a lot of softhackle patterns using it posted on the board. (An exception is Hans, I believe.) Other than feathers from the "ring" and upper cape area, are the bigger feathers closer to the rump too "coarse" for all but really big flies like Mr. Gartside's "Sparrow"?

Any opinions appreciated.

Jon - Ringneck pheasant feathers make nice hackle for wingless wet flies. I have used both cock feathers and hen feathers (nice mottled brown markings). The feathers on the upper back region work nicely, as is. The feathers on the lower regions (mid-back and rump area) tend to be larger than is generally needed for these type flies. That does not, however, mean that they can't be used. It just means that special techniques are needed to utilize the feathers on smaller flies.

Here is a pattern I posted a while back, which used cock ringneck pheasant hackle. The hackle feather came from the middle back region (the feathers with the metallic green highlights).

http://www.flymphforum.com/viewtopic.ph ... plum#p7859

Thanks for the input: I was of a mind to tie up some Sparrows to fish as October Caddis, so it looks as there's a skin in my future. I might even get a black phase cock as well: I've been looking for a big, dark gamebird hackle to drape across my flymphs, and since Capercaillie is hard to come by, it might fit the bill.

Jon - Ringneck pheasant skins are very inexpensive (generally around 10 US dollars). The feathers can easily be dyed. I dyed some ringneck rump feathers black & dark blue as a Pukeko sub, for some KiWi flies I was tying (http://classicflytying.com/pattern6794.html). I am sure you could dye some to make a good Capercaille sub.

Ray,

Those look like a pretty good sub for pukeko. I'm fortunate to have a mate in the Land of the Long White Cloud who traded some lame US material he wanted for a beautiful Pukeko skin. I love some Scotch Poachers, a great pukeko style fly, for evening fishing.

REE

I love some Scotch Poachers

Just looked up that pattern--looks like it would kill just about everywhere. Regs on my homewater here in the Smokies don't allow fishing at night, but I could see pushing the edges of "civil twilight" with it when our big browns are starting to stir. (Same goes for Ray's pattern, too...)

VERY nice streamer Ray.........C.B., get the skin........you'll use it and enjoy it. Life is short Bro. It's a no brainer.