I understand that the gunuine Coq De Leon plumes emanate from the Valley of Curue?o region in the district of Leon. And that for obvious reasons the price is held high.

Some of the breeders from the villages of the river Curue?o valley say that when roosters are taken away from the area, the feather quality diminishes and that they think it is due to a mysterious element of the soil that the roosters get when they are fed. It has been attributed to the uranium seam that is located in the soil, and some say that radiation could be responsible for the brightness of the feathers. This story only adds value whether you believe it or not!

However harvesting the valued feathers resembles "catch and release".
It is not necessary to kill the bird, as is required to obtain the hackles for tying dry flies. The feathers are removed from the rooster roughly every four months, avoiding causing it any stress, as this is another important factor in the acquiring of high-quality feathers on the next occasion.

They are unique looking feathers and can dress a fly just right.

But there are no cheap options on this.

The feathers are gradually plucked from the bird's back and then arranged by colour and size in groups of 12. These are then tied together at their base to make bundles, as they are known.