Ducks. Feathers. Fly tying.

I

Ira Strouse

New member
Does anyone have a resource that shows the different types of feathers on a duck and what flies can be tied with them? I have been pulling the flank feathers but know I am wasting a lot of material.

Thanks ahead of time,

Ira
 
pick up a tying pattern book for the type of flies and look at the "recipes" or check some tying websites

flank feathers from woodies (the big one) and mallards and teal are commonly used

Mallard wing quills (in matched pairs)
 
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I'm a fly tier and use duck feathers on some of my fly's. I have never "seen" a book like you're describing, not to say one isn't out there. How I have always seen them used is from what the pattern calls for, which tells you what you'll need to tie the fly. For example, one may call for wood duck flanks. Pictures are added and you'll be able to see what it looks like. All the fly's I've tied that called for some kind of duck feather have always been dry fly's. I'm sure there are some wet fly's that might call for them but off the top of my head I don't remember. So, look at each pattern and see what they call for and if you find a book that outlines what you described, please let me know, I'll buy it lol.
 
Ira,
If you look at the fly tying recipe's for various flies, you'll see what feathers to use from ducks.
Mallard flank feathers (tails & wings of flies)
Teal, Merganser, Pintail, Gadwall, Woody all make great feathers for wings & tails.
Mallard speculum feather-for tying the McGinty (sp)
The Aftershaft feather (especially on Partridge) is great for tying a wiggler/mayfly pattern.
The Philoplume/filoplume (sp) from the Amhearst Pheasant (as I recall) is great for a fly called the Gimp.
Use the feathers from around the oil gland for high float without the use of floatant (naturally oiled)...can't recall the name of that feather at the moment.
Lots of other feathers as well.
Lou
 
Hey Randall,

I was checking out the Combat Veterans Waterfowl Association after seeing your logo and am wondering if that organization is currently only on the West coast?

I am a combat vet and participate/volunteer with Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing; it sounds like both programs recognize the therapeutic aspects of being outside.

There should be some programs near you if you are interested in fly tying and fishing with vets.

Thanks for the response,

Ira
 
I'm a fly tier and use duck feathers on some of my fly's. I have never "seen" a book like you're describing, not to say one isn't out there. How I have always seen them used is from what the pattern calls for, which tells you what you'll need to tie the fly. For example, one may call for wood duck flanks. Pictures are added and you'll be able to see what it looks like. All the fly's I've tied that called for some kind of duck feather have always been dry fly's. I'm sure there are some wet fly's that might call for them but off the top of my head I don't remember. So, look at each pattern and see what they call for and if you find a book that outlines what you described, please let me know, I'll buy it lol.


there are literally hundreds of pattern books and websites = i think we were saying the same thing there - tying supply dealers is another way to look up what gets used-

and also several material reference books for example
Modern Fly-Tying Materials by Richard W. Talleur Fly-Tying Materials: Their Procurement, Use, and Protection by Eric Leiser
Fly Dressing materials by John Veniard
Click to expand...
 
Ira, currently yes only in California. You don't need to live in California to be a member though, just a combat veteran. I'm working with them right now to donate some puppy's hopefully this march. They will go to combat veterans who are obviously hunters but like my girl, they can be cross trained as service dogs too. I'm only doing the one breeding which was done the first weekend in January. We're in a wait and see right now. It's my hope to assist in starting another chapter for them once we move out of Washington state and I'll talk with them more at length about that after we get out of here. Even though you don't live in California, once you're excepted as a member you can sign up for a hunt if you think you'll be in there neck of the woods. I'm very familiar with PHW, I established a chapter in souther NM and the local fly club is working with troops at Ft. Bliss. Had to step back from it when my health took a nose dive from my own SC injuries. Working with those guys was a blast. Feel free to PM me anytime, I would be more than happy to
Get in touch with you. The guys in CVWA are super nice and I'm looking forward to one day hunting with them. I understand what you're saying though. Very hard to connect with guys which is why outside of my boys I do most of my hunting alone.
Scouts Out!
 
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One of my favorite uses for teal flank; the tented wing on the Cutty Sark:

And woodduck flank on my Deep Green Beauty:



Gary
 
Those are nice flies.

Two of my favorite flies with duck feathers:

(1) The Wood Special. Streamer/wet fly traditionally tied with wood duck flank for a wing; Hooded Merganser is even better. My goto fly for brook trout ponds.


(2) The West Branch Caddis (aka Nancy's Prayer). Caddis fly emerger pattern tied with neck feathers from a drake wood duck (white tip) or mallard (all brown). Fish it on the swing in the evening when caddis are about.


And to use up all that mallard flank (or wood duck, or teal, or hoodie), a traditional Michigan fly, the Hornberg:



Edited to add: Tried to post photos, but I guess cutting and pasting thumbnails doesn't work, and I'm too lazy to save the files and edit them to size. Google will find you photos of each fly. (Sorry!)
 
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There are many rewards of hunting that carry over to fishin'. It's a Very Good lifestyle indeed. Those streamers are killers. Now ya did it, do I start tying, or go down in the shop and carve decoys?
 
Even coots have some interesting feathers for tying. Shoot a snipe, they taste good and have some good feathers for soft hackles. I tie flies like a cook, I sort of follow a recipe but change it to fit what I have on hand. Most duck flanks can be interchanged and primaries for wings just have to match the size of the fly.

Get one whole pheasant skin and you can tie the best sub surface fly of all time the Gartside Sparrow.
Dang it's been a while since I last tied. I keep saying I'm going to but stuff comes up and I don't get around to it, might have to do that.

Gary,
Nice flies.

Tim
 
Thanks for the good words about the flies. I'm pleased to hunt with Steve Sanford a few times each season, and always look forward to a new collection of waterfowl feathers for my salmon flies.
Gary
 
I tie a lot of flies each year, mostly saltwater as I live in Florida. But I do tie some bass and panfish flies as well. If you have any questions, PM me.
 
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