Goldenplover and Yellow

[CreationBear]

Ha...I've got to learn to limit my viewing of Cookshillls' site to only during the harsh light of day as well.

Some questions about plover, though: (1.) what range of hackle sizes are on the average skin; (2.)what could you compare the fiber stiffness to (I'm thinking it's a bit like starling); and (3.) are the primary feathers marked like the typical "soft hackle" feathers, or are they one color? (As a native Southerner, I'm always looking for a yellow-flicker sub for my Yallerhammers. )

[tie2fish]

1. Hackle sizes down to #20 on the skin I have.
2. It's stronger than starling, but still very flexible.
3. The primaries are not yellow -- similar to mallard.

[CreationBear]

tie2fish-- Thanks for elaborating...I'm curious, though, if you find enough feathers to wrap size 12 or larger flies, or are most in the 16-14ish range?

[Ruard]

Ha...I've got to learn to limit my viewing of Cookshillls' site to only during the harsh light of day as well.

Some questions about plover, though: (1.) what range of hackle sizes are on the average skin; (2.)what could you compare the fiber stiffness to (I'm thinking it's a bit like starling); and (3.) are the primary feathers marked like the typical "soft hackle" feathers, or are they one color? (As a native Southerner, I'm always looking for a yellow-flicker sub for my Yallerhammers. )

Here are two pictures of the skin I have.






Greeting

[tie2fish]

C-Bear ~
A majority of the soft hackle patterns I tie are in the 14-16 size range, so I haven't really been looking for 12's or bigger. I'd say, however, that there are plenty of them from just looking at the skin. One of the many things I like about plover is the consistency of the markings across the whole of the skin; you don't run out of the beautiful color pattern (see Ruard's excellent photos) as you move from one size to another.

[CreationBear]

Ruard, tie2fish-- thanks for the pictures and extra info, that really helps a newbie like myself. A plover skin definitely in my future, though I I'll have to avoid the recent mistake I made of leaving out a hen pheasant pelt where my wife could find it--she couldn't believe I would consider tying flies with something so beautiful...

[hankaye]

Howdy Ruard,

That fly looks tasty. Almost like a fresh hot biscut (American style), right from the oven an I'm lookin' for the molasses.

Greetings,
hank

[Johnno]

what lovely looking feathers. alas we cannot get them here. But swings and roundabouts I guess

[CM_Stewart]

tie2fish-- Thanks for elaborating...I'm curious, though, if you find enough feathers to wrap size 12 or larger flies, or are most in the 16-14ish range?

If you want larger feathers, consider a sharptail grouse. Not an exact match to golden plover to be sure, but you do get gray/yellow banding (and they are a LOT cheaper - just checked eBay, and they're $7 per skin). Plus, the feathers are certainly larger.





You must realize that it would be sacrilege to tie a hare's lug and sharptail. You must tie a jackrabbit and sharptail instead.

[William Anderson]

Great suggestion on the sharptail grouse. I love that all these older threads are coming back up. I know there are a lot of folks that are seeing these for the first time. That Goldenplover and Yellow is spot on. Very well done.

Mark, this boards seems to be on fire lately.

w