Half a sack full of Coq de Lion!!!

[Ron Clay]

About 15 years ago I acquired a large plastic bag of rubbish from Chatsworth. It was a mixture of allsorts of feathers, some of which were pretty useless.

But yesterday, I decided to have a good look through what I have bought, all those years ago.

And lo and behold, in a seperate plastic bag, is about 300 beautiful Coq de Lion feathers, the fibres having that wonderful speckled effect and being about 1 1/4 inches long.

I haven't used Coq de Lion feathers in the past, but now I have enough to last the rest of my life. They certainly look ideal for the tails of many dry fly patterns.

But are they that difficult to get hold of?

[dwiltshire]

It's expensive Roy, A nice find indeed and one of my favourite tailing materials for both dries and nymphs.

I look forward to seeing some of your creations

Now I did read somewhere that owning too much can be detrimental to your sanity and well-being. I suggest you package some up and get it sent over to me straight away Only to look after you ~ because I care you understand

[captain]

Originally Posted by Ron Clay

About 15 years ago I acquired a large plastic bag of rubbish from Chatsworth. It was a mixture of allsorts of feathers, some of which were pretty useless.

But yesterday, I decided to have a good look through what I have bought, all those years ago.

And lo and behold, in a seperate plastic bag, is about 300 beautiful Coq de Lion feathers, the fibres having that wonderful speckled effect and being about 1 1/4 inches long.

I haven't used Coq de Lion feathers in the past, but now I have enough to last the rest of my life. They certainly look ideal for the tails of many dry fly patterns.

But are they that difficult to get hold of?

Hi Ron... not really difficult but can prove reletively expensive to the hardened Trad flytyer... May I please be the first to offer to unburden yourself of a few ... Or for want of a better idea.. bite your hand off?

Martin

[neil thomas]

Yes they are used for mayfly tails and hackles by continental anglers, although Bob Church has two nice patterns using them.
Price and description taken from Fly-tying materials and fly tying tools and accessories - Lakeland Fly-Tying although they are out of stock on 90% on them.

Coq de Leon Lakeland Price £6.50

Sourced from birds in a very specific region of Northern Spain, these feathers have been linked with fly-tying since 1624. The fine distinctive markings on these spade hackle feathers is almost unique, it is a mottle rather than a barring. These feathers are very shiny, far more so than conventional hackles, adding an extra natural sparkle when used as either tail wisps or as a component in the wing.

Whiting Coq de Leon Hen Neck Lakeland Price £16.50
Whiting Coq de Leon Rooster Saddle Lakeland Price £16.50

[captain]

Originally Posted by dwiltshire

It's expensive Roy, A nice find indeed and one of my favourite tailing materials for both dries and nymphs.

I look forward to seeing some of your creations

Now I did read somewhere that owning too much can be detrimental to your sanity and well-being. I suggest you package some up and get it sent over to me straight away Only to look after you ~ because I care you understand

Aaaaaghhh... you beat me you bounder!!

[Mrtrout]

Don't listen to them Ron, bounders the lot of them.
Now seeing that you and I both agree on the Trion reels being such good reels for the money, perhaps a dozen of these OLD feathers could find their way into my letterbox.
Seriously, a nice find, a few quids worth there I would have thought.
S.

[Ron Clay]

I was watching a DVD of Olly Edwards tying a certain pattern on You Tube and I noticed that the tails were tied from CDL feather fibres. Now I thought to myself - "I'm sure I've got a lot of those.

So into an old suitcase I went and there was this plastic bag smelling of mothballs thank goodness.

I thought I had brought them from South Africa, but no, I remembered paying a pound for a bag of unwanted feathers and being told that some of them might make a few nice pike flies or Lefty's decievers. Anyway I shall treasure these feathers in future. Just wait until I get on the Upper Don this coming springtime. The tails tied with these feathers look absolutely wonderful, so realistic - ideal for spent spinners.

I also have a few hackle feather that look as if they can be used to tie a few damsel nymphs.

[seanie]

Useless rubbish that I'll gladly dispose of for you....... nice find, I'm looking forward to seeing some of your ties

[Ron Clay]

Well I've just been knocking up a few of what Edwards calls a 1/2 circle spinner. I must save up for a macro lens and then I'll be able to show them to you.

I have modified the dressing somewhat from Ollys, using stripped cream cock hackle stalk for the rib. I think it looks better. I like stripped cock hackle for dry fly ribs, ever since old Dick Walker suggested I try it.

[captain]

Originally Posted by Ron Clay

Well I've just been knocking up a few of what Edwards calls a 1/2 circle spinner. I must save up for a macro lens and then I'll be able to show them to you.

I have modified the dressing somewhat from Ollys, using stripped cream cock hackle stalk for the rib. I think it looks better. I like stripped cock hackle for dry fly ribs, ever since old Dick Walker suggested I try it.

Being a 'Worksop' lad from just up T'road... living in extreme poverty ()..... I'm sure I could muster a few coppers if you feel you may have too many and wanna sell some Ron? Love tying with them also.. Do you fish the Don area's SPRITE tidy up?... wonderful fishing.