Pheasant Tails
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- ForumGhillie
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Pheasant Tails
I thought it might be interesting to discuss pheasant tails since it came up several times on the Sawyer's Nymph topic.
Below are the 5 pheasant tails colors I just received from CompetitiveAngler.com. Cookshill's PTs is just one center feather each and the Nature's Spirits' PTs are 2 to a pack.
All the fibers on all the PTs range in length from 1-1/2" long to 1-3/4" long.
The Cookshill Black Claret is so close to black, it's hard to tell the difference. Maybe when I do a wet test it will look different. Will various dyed colors matter to picky trout? Probably not, but it is what makes fly tying fun, at least for me.
A - Nature's Spirit Select Pheasant Center Tails - Natural
B - Nature's Spirit Select Pheasant Center Tails - Galloup's Brown Olive
C - Nature's Spirit Select Pheasant Center Tails - Olive
D - Cookshill Select Cock Pheasant Tail (1 Center Tail) - Black Claret
E - Cookshill Select Cock Pheasant Tail (1 Center Tail) - Dark Olive
Note: I just sent an email to Natures Spirit about the poor quality of the Galloup's Brown Olive PTs, they look like the rooster got in a fight, especially near the top. Natures Spirit is one of the brands that I find always offers top-shelf materials so this came as a surprise to me. I didn't ask them to replace them I just wanted them to know.
Below are the 5 pheasant tails colors I just received from CompetitiveAngler.com. Cookshill's PTs is just one center feather each and the Nature's Spirits' PTs are 2 to a pack.
All the fibers on all the PTs range in length from 1-1/2" long to 1-3/4" long.
The Cookshill Black Claret is so close to black, it's hard to tell the difference. Maybe when I do a wet test it will look different. Will various dyed colors matter to picky trout? Probably not, but it is what makes fly tying fun, at least for me.
A - Nature's Spirit Select Pheasant Center Tails - Natural
B - Nature's Spirit Select Pheasant Center Tails - Galloup's Brown Olive
C - Nature's Spirit Select Pheasant Center Tails - Olive
D - Cookshill Select Cock Pheasant Tail (1 Center Tail) - Black Claret
E - Cookshill Select Cock Pheasant Tail (1 Center Tail) - Dark Olive
Note: I just sent an email to Natures Spirit about the poor quality of the Galloup's Brown Olive PTs, they look like the rooster got in a fight, especially near the top. Natures Spirit is one of the brands that I find always offers top-shelf materials so this came as a surprise to me. I didn't ask them to replace them I just wanted them to know.
John s.
https://WiFlyFisher.com/
https://WiFlyFisher.com/
Re: Pheasant Tails
I would steam those tails and bring them back into alignment.
"I like beer, do you like beer, I like beer a lot."
Re: Pheasant Tails
Personally, the only one of those I would keep is "A". I'm surprised about the others, as both Nature's Spirit and Cookshill are known for their high quality products. "B" and "C" are pretty shabby and the barbs on the Cookshill feathers are too skinny and short for my liking. Steaming as Bob suggests might help some, but meh ...
Some of the same morons who throw their trash around in National parks also vote. That alone would explain the state of American politics. ~ John Gierach, "Still Life with Brook Trout"
- ForumGhillie
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Re: Pheasant Tails
Bob,
That's a great idea. I haven't steamed anything since I was a kid when I used to steam my gasoline/paraffin-waxed dry flies after using them to get the hackles to go back to its original state.
Bill, yes I was disappointed too. I have bought better PTs at Cabelas.
John
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Re: Pheasant Tails
You could also wash the feathers using Woolite in a tub and swishing them around so that they remarry. Don't know how well this would work on dyed feathers but it works wonders on Golden Pheasat tails. The best pheasant feathers I ever got came from a hunter friend of mine who only hunts wild birds. He believes that farm raised birds will ruin a good dog.
Tom
Tom
"We argue to see who is right but we discuss to see what is right"
Re: Pheasant Tails
I have found some very nice Spirit River PT's but there is some inconsistency with them. I have always done well ordering PT's from Jim Teeny's site. A guy who knows pheasant tails. I prefer the Antique gold over the natural. For naturals I've had good luck on eBay ordering full tails out of Nebraska and the Dakotas.
I hate it when I think I'm buying organic vegetables, and when I get home I discover they are just regular donuts.
http://www.oldhatflytying.com
http://www.oldhatflytying.com
- ForumGhillie
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Re: Pheasant Tails
Nature's Spirit is replacing my PTs. They said the person doing the grading at time was not doing a good job. NS has always been good and I am sure they are trying to correct their PT quality issue.
I received some NS turkey flats dyed grey and they are awesome.
I received some NS turkey flats dyed grey and they are awesome.
John s.
https://WiFlyFisher.com/
https://WiFlyFisher.com/
- ForumGhillie
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Re: Pheasant Tails
I finally got to tie a PT nymph with the Galloup's Brown Olive PT... it doesn't look a lot different than if I used natural PT. Thorax coated with UV Loon finish.
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John s.
https://WiFlyFisher.com/
https://WiFlyFisher.com/
Re: Pheasant Tails
As a side note, Moscow Hide and Fur has some really nice ring-necked pheasant skins available which include the tails. I have a pair of them.
https://www.hideandfur.com/inventory/3170.html
https://www.hideandfur.com/inventory/3170.html
Re: Pheasant Tails
Wow, I just ordered some select PT’s from Cookshill. In the past I’ve been very happy with their products, but if mine are like those in the photograph I will be asking for my money back!
Love both fly fishing and fly tying, been doing it for a while
But not much good at either
But not much good at either