Feathers for wet fly wings
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Feathers for wet fly wings
#1I have been tying some wet flies from an Hardy anglers guide, but find it difficult to find dark brown feathers for wings. I have mostly tied march brown and similar flies with pheasant, but when trying to tie something else, I can’t find anything in the right colour. I have used golden pheasant from a whole skin, but they are too supple, and i can’t find loose feathers of better quality. I’m also looking for some bustard sub for these small flies. Does anyone now of a good material for these purposes?
Re: Feathers for wet fly wings
#2This may be heresy, but a brown Sharpie could be your friend. I use Sharpies all the time, the fish never complain
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Re: Feathers for wet fly wings
#3In the oast I used brown flight primaries and secondaries from my laying hens. I don't have chickens now. These are not feathers that appear in the fly shops. If I really needed brown feathers for wings I'd buy a chicken from a neighbor.
I like 6weight's idea of a sharpie. I've used a sharpie on a few patterns in the past with good results. I recall decades ago an article that proposed tying white dry flies in a range of sizes and carrying sharpies of various colors in your vest to match the naturals that were hatching. I never went quite that far.
I like 6weight's idea of a sharpie. I've used a sharpie on a few patterns in the past with good results. I recall decades ago an article that proposed tying white dry flies in a range of sizes and carrying sharpies of various colors in your vest to match the naturals that were hatching. I never went quite that far.
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Re: Feathers for wet fly wings
#4How big are the flies? For trout? Salmon?
Supple fibers can be doubled or folded or laid over an underwing of a stiffer fiber. The top 1/3 of dyed goose nazurias are stiff enough and come in all colors.
You don't need a matched pair either.
Supple fibers can be doubled or folded or laid over an underwing of a stiffer fiber. The top 1/3 of dyed goose nazurias are stiff enough and come in all colors.
You don't need a matched pair either.
Re: Feathers for wet fly wings
#5You could also use peacock, it also has secondary feathers that are light brown.
Cheers ,Mark
Cheers ,Mark
He who shall not be able to make a trout fly, after studying these diagrams and directions, must be deficient either in brains or in manual dexterity. : Edward Fitzgibbon 1853
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Re: Feathers for wet fly wings
#7Thanks for all replies. It is mostly for sea trout and trout patterns. I have used peacock wing quill as bustard sub, and it is a really good material to work with so if I find some darker smaller secondary feathers that would be great. Shall try the sharpie / dye some feathers and tie some now, and maybe get some hen feathers if I find some later. Need to fill my box up for night sea trout fishing now!