Different Partridge feathers

[ibrown]

I am new to tying and i want to have a go at tying some North Country Spiders. Most of the flies i have seen ask for Partridge feathers. I have looked on ebay and find that there are Male and Female partridges, is there any difference in feathers or quality between male and female. Also can anyone tell me what feathers they use for spiders and where i can get some.

Regards
Ian

[horses50]

I just use the ones in the packet from the orvis shop.

[Former member]

Originally Posted by ibrown

I am new to tying and i want to have a go at tying some North Country Spiders. Most of the flies i have seen ask for Partridge feathers. I have looked on ebay and find that there are Male and Female partridges, is there any difference in feathers or quality between male and female. Also can anyone tell me what feathers they use for spiders and where i can get some.

Regards
Ian

What you want is Grey neck feathers from an English Partridge.
Gerry

[BRUCE1]

these are good for spiders aswell....

Whiting Brahma Hen Saddle - Lakeland Fly-Tying Limited

[midlander]

Grey to buff lightly speckled feathers = male

Darker brown, more heavily barred = famale

I use about 80% male feathers. Best go for skins if you can as there's a better range of sizes than is usually available in a packet.

Get in touch with Steve Cooper at Cookshill for arguably the best skins on the market.

[emerger1981]

also brown back feathers of the male partridge are widely used but theres not many small brown feathers i tend to dye small grey feathers a light brown.
the back feathers on the females arent all that for ideal spiders but you get some good mixed colours on the neck of a female, id say get a few different feathers to test with then go with the results.
if you do go for a skin try and see it before hand
some have hardly any small feathers near the neck so try and get one with head intact, if not? try for one with as much neck as possible.

Tight lines