All about feathers for fly tying

Partridge, duck, quail, turkey flank and breast feathers. Wing quills. What feathers can you use and what can you use them for? And what are some reasonable substitutes? If you hunt or has a friend that hunts, what feathers should be saved and how can you do it?

[@Adroit1911]

I absolutely love seeing the huge fly fishermen sticker at your tying desk!!!

[@FlyFishMike_]

Very well received, Tom! I have always heard you mentioning feathers on the podcast, but great to see the different parts of the plumage on the actual skins. I have a 'grab-bags' full of certain feathers, and now I have a better idea where to use them. Thanks very much! Tight lines. 👍🏻🎣🦆

[@fishduckdog]

Great video! Thanks for sharing!

[@christopherbrooks8561]

Love the video! It would be really helpful if videos this long were tagged with chapters for easy browsing. Just a thought. Thanks!

[@user-mb1hg4qu9f]

Thanks a lot, Tom. 👍🏻

[@terrymettler3692]

Thank you, new sub, I'm not new to fishing lures or feathers, still green to trying my luck at feathered fly's.

[@jmebig3044]

Wood duck crest feathers make amazing jigs!

[@jeffjones4006]

Glad to see you Tom

[@danatavares2038]

Terrific video, thanks. New to tying. Do you have photos available of the sample boards you are using here? Id be great help in identifying the various feathers I have.

[@navidave95]

What are the neck feathers on a Golden Pheasant and what do they look like?

[@bocceboy]

What are the best feathers to use for the tail of a fly

[@Robert_Sackett]

Tom, I'm having trouble finding the hackle live video you referenced at 14ish min? Is that on FB live only?

[@veronika8904]

Sir,what feathers can be married together for Salmon type flys,an other flys.Im very confused on this an have gotten varied responses from fly shops..Im very interested in making various color wings married together. .Thank you,Jack.(Florida)

[@johnboy500]

What kind of die do they use to color features? and where to get it?

[@kevinhollis1143]

Question - when talking about CDC, you basically talking feathers close to the oil gland right for their density and maybe are more "oiled", if that is not the case then the down that is put in coats how si that different and can it be used instead ??

[@jakepavlo91]

Watching from Yorkshire

[@jackmikeson6062]

Thanks. Oklahoma in the house

[@spudd78]

Could you do a video like this about hair for flytying?

[@themazamen]

Sorry I missed the show. That darn work thing again. Have you ever used what Jack Gartside calls chicken poop feathers? I believe they are hen vent feathers. I was wondering how functionally different they are from chickaboo, which Jack indicates is close but not an adequate substitute.

[@rosenbauert]

Pretty close

[@mr.robinson1982]

Does the type of bird matter? Predators, prey? If I find a redtail hawk or owl killed by a vehicle (side of the road) Can I use feathers from them? Should I store feathers in a ziploc bag to keep them airtight? #OrivsCompany

[@joeg5414]

I dunno, I wouldn't want to get caught with feathers from any pird of prey. Most states require you to get a permit to harvest anything from roadkill. If I see a dead turkey on a dirt road and no one's around, I might collect some feathers, but that's about it.

[@timapple6586]

Birds of prey TOTALLY off limits - cuz you can't prove that you didn't shoot the bird.

[@ScottLarson199m]

What about starlings? I see them used a lot in tying but I think they would be considered a songbird.

[@rosenbauert]

They are invasive and considered a pest. You can do anything you want with them including shooting them year-round.

[@ronuhlenhopp9368]

Do you sort the feathers using envelopes so they are not stored air tight?

[@rosenbauert]

No

[@robertfrancisco1193]

can wing feathers be split for making flys or do you just pull down a bunch and use.

[@timapple6586]

Yeah but it's very tricky. Best to refer to a traditional archery source. Not very durable unless you undercoat with super-glue.

[@kenelliott6458]

Do you ever use the covert feathers for tying north country spiders Tom?

[@orvis]

Yes but the stems are a bit thick

[@rosenbauert]

Yes, sometimes

[@timapple6586]

If the quill is too thick but you can't split it, you can steam it over a kettle, or you can crush the quill with pliers to help it wrap without splitting. Or if you're feeling adventurous, insert the feather barbules into a waxed dubbing loop then snip the quill away just before twisting the loop.

[@timapple6586]

Look up the techniques for making a European Blue Jay throat on a traditional salmon fly. You might have to add it in loose clumps around the shank.

[@marccharron5138]

Is there any legal feather that can be used to substitute jungle cockeye

[@timapple6586]

Jungle cock have been crossed with domestic fowl. The hybrid is legal. Also, look up the 'Mar Lodge' fly. No need for a feather to simulate an eye.

[@kelliecarlsen5098]

The cat killed a quail and a pigeon. I gathered some and put them in the freezer to kill any bugs and have been using them. They work fine.

[@jamesdrury5727]

Mike from pa.

[@edherrmann182]

What can you use to replace jungle cock feathers used as eyes on many streamers besides the fake paper ones that some people use. I have used different eyes that don’t look as nice. Like you I have been tying for 50 years.

[@timapple6586]

Strips of wood duck flank are traditional.

[@s4dg]

“We’re live, I’m alive, hopefully you’re alive” I’m dead This comment is making fun of the people who say “I’m dead” after a funny quote from a video

[@jamesdrury5727]

Can you use chicken

[@timapple6586]

99% of fly-tying feathers come from barnyard fowl. Edit: I'm including peafowl and guinea fowl.