FLYMPH FORUM

When I reviewed the book for a swap pattern one pattern that got my attention was the cowdung. It called for a landrail wing. Has anyone tied a cowdung and what did it look like? Anyone got a picture of their fly?

Here is an article Mark Libertone wrote many years ago. If you scroll down, you will see a photo of his interpretation of a cowdung.

http://www.flyanglersonline.com/feature ... art402.php


Mark used Cinnamon Turkey feathers for his winging material. I kind of surprised by the wing on Mark's fly. When I think of wing slips from a landrail feather, I think solid slate grey color. Here are a couple reference photos of a pair of genuine landrail wings I own.

Topside view:


Bottom side view: This view shows the primary feathers which would be used to make wing slips. As you can see they are solid uniform grey color.


Starling wing primary feathers make a good substitute for landrail.

I have that site (and that particular page) bookmarked but forgot all about it. Thanks for reminding me. There's lots of good patterns on it.

Bill - Here are a couple scans from the Leisenring book (4th edition/original printing).


the text goes on to say "sloping back close to the body, glossy side out." on the next page.

Leisenring's version of the "Cowdung" is shown on the left hand side, forth row down.


To me, the landrail wing slip seems to be a uniform slate gray color.

the gray of underside of the landrail wing looks just like the gray of a mallard drake. Only difference is the duck wing fibers are coarser than the landrail.

Bill - Would you mind if I moved this thread over into the winged fly section?

feel free. I wasn't sure which forum to ask the question in.

Here is a picture of the real thing. I like to use chukar tail feathers as a substitute for landrail (corncrake).

Chukar tail next to landrail wing.

Other side.