FLYMPH FORUM

Waterhen Hackles

The undercover feathers of the Waterhen are in many respects one of the most famous of fly-tying materials, with the distinctive gunmetal grey under-coverts providing the hackles for one of flyfishing’s most famous fly patterns, the Waterhen Bloa. However, where the wings of the Waterhen, were once the preserve of northern fly-dressers, the increasing popularity of dressing and fishing North Country spider patterns throughout the world has lead to somewhat of a scarcity of good quality Waterhen wings, often with younger birds providing the hackles. Sadly however, these younger birds sometimes have a white edging to the tips of their under-covert feathers, which is an unwanted characteristic of younger plumages