Starling: hackle range?

[CreationBear]

With William's Iron Blue Dun in mind, I engaged in a bit of illicit starling fondling at my local flyshop this afternoon, but came away confused. For the life of me, I couldn't find many feathers on these skins (Hairline, I believe) that would hackle a size 14 or so fly--with the exception of the under coverts, most of the feathers were easily size #20's at best, almost as if these were early season or "juvenile" birds. (There were many gold-tipped feathers, but none of the feathers had that coveted "sheen" either.)

Any thoughts on how many usable feathers there ought on a starling skin, and perhaps some feedback on sources?

[chase creek]

I've noticed the same thing. On the skins I have (bought from a reputable shop, thru the magic of the internet), most of the feathers that are in the range of 12-16 have very little sheen, except at the very tips. Is this a result of the age of the bird? I must say I was a little disapointed when I received my first skins.

[William Anderson]

I've had some skins that weren't as nice as the one I'm using now, but I swear this bird must have been a real beaut. I have lots of hackles for sizes 12 to 24 that are really great. Nice sheen on many. I'm pretty sure most of the skins I've bought in shops and from jim have been hareline. Just at the point below were the wing hits the shoulder, like where our shoulder blades are, or the middle between that area, has the prettiest feathers. I really should get the skin out and look it over, but I've been tying from this same bird for a long time, and there are hundreds of flies still to be tied from that bird. Maybe ask the shop to hand pick one for you if you're buying online, or open up several in the shop. Actually, I would love to have a couple juvenile birds with some tan and brown markings.

w

[Jim Slattery]

As you may know there is a problem getting starling from the U.K.. The fine Starling skins from Cookshill are a thing of the past. I source my birds from a few venders and they are unfortunately all inconsistant. This problem will not change anyytime soon.
Jim

[hankaye]

Howdy All;

Just a quick Google and here is the main Google page.

http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=i ... lz=1I7SNNT

Take your pick, showes the Starling as an invasive species here in the US.
Garb a shotgun and go round up a few.

hank

[CreationBear]

Thanks for the replies, gentlemen: in a way, it's good to know I wasn't being too persnickity about things. If this keeps up though, I might play Fagin and start supplying my neighborhood urchins with bird lime and rat-shot. One Happy Meal per bird sound about right?

[hankaye]

CreationBear, Howdy;

Don't set such a high level of incentive....... one chicken McNugget per bird should be good fro starters.....

hank

[CreationBear]

one chicken McNugget per bird should be good fro starter

Well, if I hardball 'em too much, I'm afraid they won't give me my lawnmower back.

[hankaye]

CreationBear, Howdy;

"Well, if I hardball 'em too much, I'm afraid they won't give me my lawnmower back. "

That's a bad thing???

hank

[willowhead]

i like the fact that Jim is at least honest bout it..............lotta fly shops give you some line of crap and expect you to go for it..............