Pheasant - several questions on the bird/feathers.

[guest18]

One of the people I work with has offered me a couple of pheasants so that I can get the feathers off of them. I dont know whether I will be getting a couple of birds itself or the actual feathers and so having never done this type of thing before I have a few questions.

If I get an actual bird itself what feathers should I be looking to pluck? I am assuming the tail but are there any other areas of the bird that I should be looking to take too? If anyone has a pic of the areas that I should pluck that would be superb.

Do I need to treat the feathers once I have them or are they good to tie flies with right away?

If anyone has any experience of this any pointers would be appreciated.

Thanks.

[allthingsolive]

Don't put them any where near your other fly tying gear, till your 100% sure there clean and bug free. Could be costly.

[Fishtales]

Is this any use?

The Ringneck Pheasant

http://www.uky.edu/~agrdanny/flyfish/petti.htm

[Blanefishing]

Stef

Get the whole birds if you can sorting loose feathers is a nightmare and generally a waste of time.

Remove tails only a few feathers here are of any use the centre tails and a couple iether side. Cocks make nymphs and hens wings.

Cut off the wings and dry them out genearaly only hen wings are any good for winging but you can use cock wings.

Finally skin and cure the rest this way you can keep the feathers graded until you find a need for them or read the Gartside article. Cut down its back peal the skin with care so as not to rip it, attach it to a board skin side up, remove fat and other waste, sprinkle with alum and leave to dry. drying wings and skins in a warm dry place.

Hows the casting?

Alberto

[guest18]

Wow, thanks guys for the info. Lots to digest there.

I have found out today that it will be the actual feathers but will make sure to keep them away from the main tying materials just to be sure.

Alberto - casting has improved a fair bit since we last met up thanks. Certainly not anywhere near your standard but a significant improvement compared to how it was before the lesson.

[hobble]

Make sure you mind the "ah" feathers pointy, they are very important