Hi,

Starling is one of my favorite soft hackle feathers. For a long time it was a highly undervalued feather, but recently it seems to have made a come back. I've noticed a lot more people using it, or at least admitting to using it now! A size 16, purple and starling (but the black tip part of the feather), is a good midge type pattern. I think it's called a "little black" (wax the purple silk with cobblers wax to darken it; and the silk also darkens in the water when wet anyway). The "purple and not starling" as presented looks to be a really good pattern as well, and I'm sure a collections of starlings and not starlings would do anyone proud on the river.

- Jeff