More feather Questions

[fflutterffly]

I hope this isn't redundant. As many of you may know I'm in the process of replacing feathers and fur. One question I have: What feather acts like partridge and can be tied in small flies down to 20. I have to use my $$ wisely, but am willing to purchase that which is needed to accomplish flies I see on this forum.

[Mataura mayfly]

I don't find the question redundant, in fact I am looking forward to the answers.

Do you want act like partridge only, or act and look like?
Act like, but smaller would have me thinking Starling or similar (we have Song Thrush, Blackbird and Sparrow or the like that were introduced here). If you knew someone that kept small cage birds it might be worth checking the bottom of their cages before cleaning gets any shed feathers. Any of the quail species, smaller birds usually yield smaller feathers.

To look like and act like you might have to try partridge feathers from the throat or neck areas. Strip the barbs from the stem, tie in around the hook shank over the eye the length you want and fold back before forming the head, or use just the tips of the smallest feathers you can find wrapped once. Some Mallard breast feathers can be quite small and similar colour to grey partridge.
There is one type of quail that is commonly kept in aviary that have very similar plumage to grey partridge....... might have to investigate that one for you.

[narcodog]

You can use grouse, quail actually most birds. Partridge is about the best for most patterns.

[Jerry G]

You mentioned smaller flies and with that woodcock also have some nice mottled feathers to consider. As I recall you are in the process of resupplying your self with feathers. I have no idea where you are located but if you have shooting clubs that release birds for harvest you might want to check with them to see what they may have in the way of skins. As with all fur and feathers be careful to treat them for parasites before you put them to use or bring the material into the same environment with treated materials.

Regards, Jerry

[Smuggler]

A bunch of Natural Mallard flank rolled around the hook shank with thread would be acceptable I think.

What I mean by this is taking about 10-12 barbules of mallard and getting the tips even. Then place and hold them on the top of the shank. Take your thread and slowly wrap over the clump while letting the thread take them around the shank. It takes practice, and is frustrating at first but, a worth while technique to pick up IMO.

I'll post a step by step on how to do it at some point later in the week.

[Ruard]

I think a Brahma saddle will do, but you have to manage (?) something for the little hooks.

greeting

[Donald Nicolson]

Well, here is some advice from a genuine Scot .
A very useful and cheap skin is definitely the starling, probably the most useful bird for trout flies. The wings of the French partridge or red legged partridge as it is also called are very cheap over here, supply very nice light olive hackles from the top-side and good light dun from the under-side. If you select some hackle for size, wash them in detergent, rinse well, dry carefully on kitchen paper and a hair-dryer, they colour quite well with Pantone pens. The ink won't take well without cleaning off the natural oils.
The cheap Indian cock and hen necks still seem to be available and can provide excellent hackles of many sizes and colours. I have to say, Whitings Brahma hen necks are very reasonably priced, even cheaper in the USA than they are here, a great range of colours, have a look at http://www.jimsflyco.com/brahma-hackle/ he carries a great selection of cock/hen skins.
Well that should keep you occupied an out of trouble .

[fflutterffly]

Jerry good advice regarding the "careful" ness of bringing in feathers. And Donald, thanks for the link. I have plenty of Starling so I'll stick with that for the moment. Has anyone ever tied with Robin? We are silly with those birds as well, but I'm not about to pop one in the city for the skin. I also have no luck trying to dry skins myself Which means I'll have to invest time picking up feathers from a breeder or at the clubs. good suggestions. Thanks guys.

[fflutterffly]

Let me reverse my Robin statement, since I was just informed that you can't kill song birds. Sorry all. Opps. The "pop a Robin" was in jest since I can't even get myself to harvest a fish, let along kill something else that is alive. As I've said before... I a big o' hypocrite I love to eat the once live stuff but I hate to kill it. Anyway, thanks for the heads up on the no no and thanks for the help I always get from this forum. I've said it once I'll say it again FLYMOHFORUM.COM is the best. (What if the bird is dead? Can I harvest the feathers?)

[tie2fish]

Let me reverse my Robin statement, since I was just informed that you can't kill song birds. Sorry all. Opps. The "pop a Robin" was in jest since I can't even get myself to harvest a fish, let along kill something else that is alive. As I've said before... I a big o' hypocrite I love to eat the once live stuff but I hate to kill it. Anyway, thanks for the heads up on the no no and thanks for the help I always get from this forum. I've said it once I'll say it again FLYMOHFORUM.COM is the best. (What if the bird is dead? Can I harvest the feathers?)

Strictly speaking, no; from what I've been told, mere possession is prohibited.