Feathers and fly fishing flies

[gjoyner]

Hi! I am new to all of this but I had heard that Blue Andelusians make good fly fishing feathers and that they are sought after. I have a blue andelusian and have recently gotten into fly fishing (just moved to colorado!) I wanted to know how to tie flies..and if anyone knew which feathers are best to use. ALSO..if I ever wanted to sell some feathers..how much could I get for selling some?
thanks!

 

[big greg barker]

There are several breeds that supply great feathers for fly-tying. Mostly, it depends upon which fly you want to tie.
The feathers you want for tying usually come from roosters. They are the neck hackle feathers, and the feathers from the saddle area.As for selling them, go to a sporting goods store that sells fly fishing stuff, and check out the feathers there to see how much you can get for yours. Then advertise them on Craigs list or a website that caters to fishermen.

 

[New adventure]

Or post a card on the sporting store's bulletin board. I bet tyers will call you! I've already had 5 people ask me for feathers as soon as they know I have chicks.

I've paid $18-20 for a neck and those were the cheaper ones.

There are lots of fly tying books at the library, they'll give you an idea of what feathers are used.

When I lived in Denver the community colleges and also parks dept had tying classes sometimes. That would also be a place to sell.

 

[New adventure]

Hey, now I have a question. Does anyone know how to preserve the necks and saddles? Are they just dried or do you have to do something else to them?

 

[kikescove.com]

Get as much (all of it) the fat and meat off of the skin, then cover it in borax. Let it dry for several days. If its a large piece, pinning it can make it come out nicer.

 

[kikescove.com]

Some great fly tying materials.....

 

[kikescove.com]

 

[Chicks_N_Horses]

My papa was a fisherman if I have ever seen a man be one. I lived with them alot and that was on the river. He fished every single day it wasn't pouring down rain for as long as I was alive. He died a couple years ago and I dream about him all the time...I really miss my papa. He was one of the 2 good influences in my life and he would take me fishing every day. Even let me reel in a big ol bass that was mounted. He won lots of tournaments and I now have all his trophies and plaques. He made all his own lures and flies. He like to use really colorful feathers. He used parrot, pheasant, and roo feathers. He would hand paint all his lures.

I have never sold chicken feathers but I do keep most of my roos feathers. I sell my macaw feathers. I usually get $100.00 for about 5 tail feathers and 10.00 per bag of body and wing feathers. It sure helps to offset their huge feed costs.

 

[aussieheelr]

first

welcome to Colorado! I think just about anyone who fishes in CO Flyfishes (I have since 10 yoa!)

BR hackle is called Grizzly hackle don't ask why but my DH ties and he's been eyeing a couple of mine with some thoughts in his head I could smack him for,

but yes if you want to grow your own there is actually a hatchery over here that speciallizes in fly tying hackle and they sell their pullets at the Sissons Feed in Delta for a good price. I got leghorns from them this year for 1.50 each! And they have the nicest feathers of all my girls!

might be a drive for you but for a good bird take a long weekend right?