Covert feathers

[hankaye]

working John, Howdy;

Why stop with one (1), here's a computer page where the seeker
of knowledge may find one that makes sense to them...
https://www.google.com/search?q=outer+c ... 06&dpr=0.9

hank

[redietz]

I think in this context that "outer" and "inner" just mean from the top of the wing and the underside of the wing, respectively.

[tie2fish]

I think in this context that "outer" and "inner" just mean from the top of the wing and the underside of the wing, respectively.

I think Bob is absolutely correct. Same goes for "upper" vs "lower" or "top" vs "bottom".

[letumgo]

I spent the morning pulling out books and looking thru them looking for reference drawings showing the location of various feathers on birds.



Here are some of the ones I found.

Source "The Art of Tying the Wet Fly" by James Leisenring (First Edition/Fourth Printing/Page 20)



Source "The Art of the Wet Fly" by W.S. Roger Fogg (ISBN 0-7136-1950-3/Published 1979/Page 63)


Source "Wet-Fly Tying and Fishing" by Rodger Fogg (ISBN 978-1-84797-127-2/Published 2009)
Page 103

Page 104


Source "The North Country Fly - Yorkshire's Soft-Hackle Tradition" by Robert L. Smith (ISBN 978-1-904784-65-4/Published 2015/First Edition)
Page 200


Page 216


Rob Smith's book has the clearest diagram, and extensive photos of the individual covert feather photos from rare birds. The best coverage I've found.

The "Flympher" and "A Guide to North Country flies"did not have any feather diagrams in them, but are still great books.

Anyway, I encourage others to pull out their books to see if there are other helpful references.

[tie2fish]

With tongue only partially in cheek, I offer the following:

Covert feathers = the small, rounded ones found near the leading edge (front) of the wing, both top and bottom.

[wsbailey]

From Brook and River Trouting.

[Hankinsfly]

If the thorough study of bird feathers as they apply to soft hackle flies is what your retirement looks like, then I CANNOT WAIT to be retired.

[letumgo]

[Theroe]

Geez, Ray: I think you’ve just made the “post of the year”........ it certainly answered a lot of questions for me. Thank you !