Game birds

[ameliasdaddy]

I mentioned to a mate the other week about using game birds feathers in tying, who said he has a mate who does a bit of shooting and could get me some feathers.

Last night he delivered, only thing is I got the birds, don't really know where to start other than the obvious, anyone want to add to my list, don't want to waste this opportunity, I'm returning the birds to him on Friday.

Cock pheasant - tails obviously but there's some lovely coloured and patterned featers around the neck which could be throat hackles and I think I've used these for tape wing sedges in the past.

Melanistic Cock pheasant - tails and neck again, don't know how to describe the stunning colour of the neck feathers on this bird but they will get some use no doubt.

Hen pheasant- tails and neck.

Mallard - spotted the flank feathers which I use on dabblers and the likes.

Woodcock - some nice feathers on the wings but not sure what else.

[stevekale]

Preserve the whole skins and wings. Decide later.

[shuck raider]

Mallard - don't forget the wing speculum feathers (the blue ones) for Butchers etc. Pick 'em in pairs, right & left. Same with the wing primaries for Wickhams, Blae & Black, GRHE thorax cover - a multitude of uses. And the CDC from its bum. Also the silver flank feathers for Gosling/Straddlebugs etc. You can use almost everything on a duck except the quack

Oh, and the hen pheasant primaries (wing feathers) for Invicta, Green Peter etc

[dabhoy]

I read the title and was well up for this

[articwolf]

Originally Posted by ameliasdaddy

I mentioned to a mate the other week about using game birds feathers in tying, who said he has a mate who does a bit of shooting and could get me some feathers.

Last night he delivered, only thing is I got the birds, don't really know where to start other than the obvious, anyone want to add to my list, don't want to waste this opportunity, I'm returning the birds to him on Friday.

Cock pheasant - tails obviously but there's some lovely coloured and patterned featers around the neck which could be throat hackles and I think I've used these for tape wing sedges in the past.

Melanistic Cock pheasant - tails and neck again, don't know how to describe the stunning colour of the neck feathers on this bird but they will get some use no doubt.

Hen pheasant- tails and neck.

Mallard - spotted the flank feathers which I use on dabblers and the likes.

Woodcock - some nice feathers on the wings but not sure what else.

I've highlight to two most important birds IMO..the pheasant..classic bird for classic flies, over here I would be using it for steelead flies, and classic ties..if you have the whole bird..skin it, remove all fat,flesh as possible..then apply 'Borax' to it, u can get this in ur drug store..worth keeping all of it!

..the little woodcock..a lot of the feathers can be used in making spiders as you all call them..me..I call them soft hackle flies..great bird in ur collection for sue, all so if possible ..skin/clean/dry!

[peepingcaddis]

My ex was a game bird! : )

[Stillwater angler]

Originally Posted by peepingcaddis

My ex was a game bird! : )

I know !................

[A. Fluker]

Are these Game Birds?

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[rapidratter]

Nice pair yi got there Loopy .

[gelert]

if it hasnt been mentioned the bronze mallard ar on the back of the duck,directly in line with both shoulders.you wont get much half a dozen or so each side.

the cdc will be in the middle of the back,almost an invisible line were all other feathers start to finish.it almost looks like an ace of spades.

weve had some melanistic pheasants on our shoot and ive used some of the feathers from the back close to the leg,very similar to peacock neck for bumbles.
you can also use the neck feathers as you said for hackled wets.
woodcock wings and body feathers for hackles.
also unless your mates spoted them,there are two pin feathers on the woodcock,not much use tying but a nice keepsake.in the shooting comunity youd put these feathers in you hat to show that youd shot a woodcock.
its tips are white along the edge of the wing.
http://www.wildart.co.uk/images/imgmain1/feathers.jpg