A few years ago I came across a road killed Kereru or Native Wood Pigeon. Screamed trout flies at me. Now its a no-no to possess native birds but I took it home anyway and rung the local Department of Conservation Offices and explained my dilemma. They had no problems with me keeping feathers. The bird was a litle munted to skin so I had to pluck. Anyway I forgot about the feathers and they remained in plastc bags tucked away at the back of a drawer. I found them again recently and in my endless seach for the perfect soft hackled imitation of
Deleatidium lilli 
came up with the following:
Speckled Jim
Hook: Black Magic H Series #14 - #18
Thread: Brown
Rib: Silver wire fine
Body: Grey brown mottled turkey quill
Hackle: Neck (I think) feather from the Kereru
The pic alas does not do the feather justice but is a lovely banded brown and pale tan. I takes some pics and post. They really are quite fetching as are some others from the bird which are like a pale version of a Golden Pheasant tippet with pale tan insides with a black tip to them.
Any fan of Blackadder will know where the name comes from
)
