|
|
Post by stokesy on Mar 23, 2015 9:06:44 GMT
iam going to have a try at tying some tenkara flys using hen pheasnt feathers but iam not sure from which part of the bird the best feathers are, any suggestions would be most helpful. many thanks.
|
|
|
|
Post by springerman on Mar 23, 2015 9:46:53 GMT
I use feathers from the wing. Covert feathers. I know many say breast feather but I find them too big and soft. I think the small wing feather gives a better hackling effect. If that is what you want....
|
|
|
|
Post by springerman on Mar 23, 2015 10:03:27 GMT
stokesy, Hope this photo helps. The detached feather came from where the stick is pointing. You can use all the covert feathers. There are better tyers than I who will give you their ideas as well. Happy tying.  |
|
|
|
Post by hiyabarney on Mar 23, 2015 18:27:11 GMT
If you can get hold of a skin use the small neck feathers they are ideal for small patterns but I tend to use the ones at the top of the back these are longer and mobile, you don't have to use all the feather, just tie in by the tip, like tying the hackle on a north country spider.
|
|
|
|
Post by stokesy on Mar 23, 2015 18:47:20 GMT
many thanks for the replies i think i will purchase a a full skin and try the different feathers. cheers
|
|
|
|
Post by Paul G on Mar 23, 2015 21:10:48 GMT
Good replies already and it is surprising how good a substitute our UK hen pheasant is for the "Kiji" pheasant that they can no longer use in Japan (due to a conservation ban on hunting them).
|
|
|
|
Post by flatsghost on Mar 23, 2015 21:47:57 GMT
I suspect that there may be feathers on the cock ring neck pheasant which are overlooked. Besides the church window feathers which are used in lure patterns, the cape can be good with the rich red/brown feather with a dark tip. Others on the back,wing may be usable. Any thoughts chaps?
Glyn
|
|
|
|
Post by springerman on Mar 25, 2015 9:13:30 GMT
Glyn, You are quite right about the cock bird. I have used the church window for SK.
stokesy, shame the shooting season has finished. Do you not know a Game Keeper who might be able to fix you up with a road kill?
|
|
|
|
Post by flatsghost on Mar 25, 2015 18:28:15 GMT
Thanks Ian. How did the Church window feather turn out? I never thought of it for a sk.
Glyn
|
|
|
|
Post by chriscreeler on Mar 25, 2015 19:16:58 GMT
I often use pheasant spade feathers for fibre winged flies. The method I use is to cut out the tip and strip off the fluff and excess fibres from the other end. The quill is then bound to the hook shank with two or three not too tight turns, the fibres are then pulled through and the wing bound securely down. It is easy to tie and makes a robust and often effective fly.
Chris.
|
|
|
|
Post by springerman on Mar 26, 2015 9:22:57 GMT
Glyn, Not the best photo and I will let you decide how it turned out, I have shown the type of feather I used. With the Japanese X's there are now so many variation of church window and other feathers we use from the cock bird. The old hen is still drab.  |
|
|
|
Post by flatsghost on Mar 26, 2015 19:45:25 GMT
Thank you Chris and Ian. The fly looks good do and I will have to try and knock a few up.
Chris what exactly do you mean by the spade feather please? The feather fibre method of winging is simple and effective as you point out.
I like the Grayling society fly holder Ian! Brian Clarke's handiwork no doubt.
Tight lines
Glyn
|
|
|
|
Post by springerman on Mar 28, 2015 14:39:46 GMT
Glyn, Yes you are right about the fly holder. Grand bit of kit.
|
|
|
|
Post by chriscreeler on Mar 29, 2015 13:11:47 GMT
Glyn,
Spade feathers are just small, blunt ended, symmetrical ones with fairly fine quills. The ones I usually use are from the backs and breasts of pheasants, partridges and moorhens.
I initially learned to tie flies when I was a kid from a little book called "Fly Tying for Trout" by Eric Taverner. He used the term and it has stuck with me.
I got the method of tying wings also about then, from an article in, I think, the "Anglers' Annual". A professional Scottish fly dresser was passing on tricks of the trade. Another was to keep your feet warm with a hot water bottle, through long, cold days at the bench in winter.
Is the winging method commonly used? I have never seen it described anywhere else.
Chris.
|
|
|
|
Post by flatsghost on Mar 29, 2015 20:43:37 GMT
Thanks for this Chris. I have used the winging method you describe when tying in Teal on traditional wet and sea trout flies. It is much simpler than marrying up wing slips believe me! Not sure how many others use it though.
I have several Eric Tavener books but have not seen the one you mention.
Tight lines and love the hot water bottle tip!
Glyn
|
|
