Question on Pheasant

**tim_y** · 04-06-2011, 03:11 PM

Hey guys,

I recently bought a couple of pheasant skins, with neck and tail. I'm obviously familiar with the tails, but can anyone give me some insight on where to start with the rest of the skin? There's a vast myriad of feathers, in a wide array of sizes, most too large for your standard wet fly hackle. If anyone could throw a couple of patterns out there I'd appreciate it. I tried googling a few, and of course Pheasant Tail nymphs popped up all over the place.

Thanks,

TY

**SherpaB** · 04-06-2011, 03:34 PM

This is a great article written by one of the great fly tyers of modern history. Sadly he passed away last fall.
Check it out..and there are some good videos on the site on how to use a large feather to make smaller soft hackle collars...overall its a great website for info
http://www.blue-ribbon-flies.com/how...pheasant_skin/

**littlej81** · 04-06-2011, 04:32 PM

I second what Sherpa said.

Tie up some of these too...http://www.flyfishohio.com/Adventures_in_Fly_Tying.htm (scroll down to the sparrow)

Use the aftershaft feathers for collars on nymphs and softhackles.

**tim_y** · 04-06-2011, 05:14 PM

Wow,

Thanks so much Sherpa. I don't know how I didn't stumble upon that before. It's precisely what I was looking for. Never in a million years would I think of using spar varnish on feathers. Fortunately I have a handy supply of it in my bamboo workshop. When I get some time I'll try a couple of those patterns and post up some pics of the 'varnished' flies.

**SherpaB** · 04-06-2011, 05:18 PM

the pheasant hopper is a neat pattern...as is the sparrow..I have a box of sparrows tied up by Jack that I have done a decent job of copying but his originals are something else...tremendously skilled tyer he was. used all sorts of unique feathers and ideas to come up with truly original patterns. a good friend of his maintains his website which has some cool articles and tutorials on some cool fly tying and fishing stuff...check it out.
http://www.jackgartside.com/

**Silver Creek** · 04-06-2011, 05:21 PM

A good caddis emerger pattern is the Tabou Caddis Emerger. Instead of the Chickabou, use the filoplumes (after shaft feathers). They work great.

Here's a Tying Video

http://forums.rockymtnfly.com/index.php?showtopic=2850

http://www.driftless-skies.com/cgi-b...num=1170564507

**SherpaB** · 04-06-2011, 05:30 PM

Great post Silver Creek..looks like a sweet pattern. Thank you. I will be tying some up tonight!

**tim_y** · 04-08-2011, 12:22 PM

Thanks for the help guys. I varnished up my first set of feathers and will check on them later. That tabou caddis looks great, going to try my hand at a few later.