Scarlet Ibis

[keith1]

I was looking for some scarlet ibis for a particular pattern. It seems that I will have to use ibis substitute.
When I looked this up it said it was, Turkey Coquille!
What is this? Is it marabou or something similar?
Any advice or help would be greatly appreciated.
Keith

[lochbois]

I still have Scarlet Ibis.
I remember buying it to tie in the tails on the Butcher wet flies.
Must be 20 plus years since i bought my packet but wont a red dyed feather or even wool do the job.?

[darwin]

Originally Posted by keith1

When I looked this up it said it was, Turkey Coquille!
What is this? Is it marabou or something similar?

Coquille is French for shell. I have never seen a Ibis feather and can't recommend a substitute, but you can look at a sub here, Turkey Coquille. What pattern are you trying to do? Give us that and someone will know the answer.

[keith1]

Hi,
The fly that I want to tye is an old pattern called, "Alexandra".
It is a fly I have wanted to add to my stock for some time.
Thanks to all for their help and advise.
Keith

[shpeil]

A couple of slips of red duck quill would do you fine for an Alexandra.

Neil

[steve collyer]

Dyed red goose shoulder stiffs tie in really well & are cheap as chips.

[arkle]

I've never seen genuine scarlet ibis for sale in 40+ years of tying. Not even from the highly specialist salmon fly material suppliers in the U.S. & Japan.

The Alex, has always been dressed with ibis subs, which Veniard's supply as deep dyed goose cosset's or under-wing quills. These are usually double sided feathers that average about 4/5" in length including the total quill, the fibres are about an inch or so long & handle superbly.

[black knight]

The Turkey Coquille is not Marabou. Marabou is a soft fluffy feather down the whole stalk. Coquille is soft on the bottom half of the feather. I think it comes from the turkey breast. It is used in dress making for feather collars and trimming. The best feathers are supplied by Veniard for fly tying.

The Alexandra AKA The Lady of the Lake has been a successful fly since 1850 and was so successful it was banned on some waters when it first came out. It has always been one of my favourite wet flies.

BK