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I have some that is supposed to be pretty good but there are not enought small feathers for size 16 and 18 soft hackles. Not many for 14s for that matter. Is there a source that has them with smaller feathers? Also I am wondering about substitutes. Some one recommended starling I think. Is there a good source for that? Thanks in advance.
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I am haunted by Waters
I just happened to run mine over. not on purpose it was an accident it was the partridge or the kid chasing it.
You might try the distribution wrap
[url=http://www.troutflies.com/tutorials/nest/13.shtml:551da]http://www.troutflies.com/tutorials/nest/13.shtml[/url:551da]
Its a neat way of sizing your hackle.
I also have one of Denny's JV hen's and they do work great for small soft hackle bugs
Dano
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"From the Laid Back Lane in the Arkansas Ozarks"
[This message has been edited by danoinark (edited 18 February 2006).]
You don't have to limit yourself to partridge feathers. Small feathers from dove, quail or woodcock will work. If you don't hunt try asking someone who does to save you some feathers or better yet let you skin a bird. If you prefer purchased feathers call Denny at Conranch hackles about his JV hens. I have heard good things about them.
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all leaders tangle; mine are just better at it than most. Jim
Take a look at Denny Conrads JV Hens at [url=http://www.conranch.com/.:76d11]http://www.conranch.com/.[/url:76d11] I now use his JV Hens instead of Partridge, as they are far easier to tye with and the saddles have the small feathers I've been looking for. Contact Denny or Liz and tell them what your looking for and your in for a treat. Denny can be found in the chat room on Sunday evenings as a moderator, or just give him a call.
http://www.myfishingpictures.com/img/053906.gif
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Dan S
The poster formerly known as Outrider
All the above suggestions are good. You can get partridge pretty cheap here: [url=http://www.hideandfur.com/inventory/3130.html:6beee]http://www.hideandfur.com/inventory/3130.html[/url:6beee]
You can also sub quail or woodcock (if you can find that) for smaller feathers. Think I'll have to try the Conrach JV, too.
Regards,
ScottP
Call The V.P. I heard he's running a special on Quail and lawers. LOL.
Rich
Danoiark, Great link! I found the whole series very helpful- Thanks!
Hey midstream,
Grizzly Wulff is right on target. I have a partridge skin that I got from Denny that is very nice and useable. However, I also have quite a few of his JV hen skins and I find myself using them more often because of the opportunity to use a very wide vareity of colors. They're as soft as the partridge, but a lot of different colors!
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Enjoying life in the North Idaho Panhandle....Psalm 91