French Partridge Wings

[DNicolson]

Someone on FAOL was asking about a substitute for Brown Owl hackle.
In the process of searching my memory and web-site, I dug out this info.

Skues
**Owl, Brown (Tawny Owl, Wood Owl). - The small mottled brown hackles on the upper edged of this bird’s wing are used in some north country patterns. The blue for from the base of the plumage is also recommended by one writer for the dubbing of bodies. The larger wing feathers are used for winging large moths or night flies.

Roger Fogg
Brown Owl: Now very difficult to obtain but once commonly employed and very useful. Any reddish-brown marginal covert feathers may be substituted and I recommend French Partridge hackles colored with a Pantone pen.

Fogg's suggestion of French partridge wings is a very good one as they are very cheap over here, a very good
alternative to dyed hen. For tying a few flies, you don't need a whole dyed hen neck.
At 2BPounds a pair from Cookshill a real bargain.
http://www.cookshill-flytying.co.uk/wings.htm

Here is a picture of French partridge wings.



I though it might be of interest and use on this BB.

[letumgo]

Thanks Don. This is useful information.

[Johnno]

I like the French Partridge and use it quite a bit for various hackles both neck - throat and wing. The striped feathers along the sides of the bird are used in a Killer Style streamer pattern down here, the "Orange Witch"