Spade Tailing

[mvalbano]

Anyone know a good source for spade tailing feathers or old capes that still have good spade feathers on them for tailing traditional catskill dry flies?

Thanks,

Michael

[Hans Weilenmann]

Coq de Leon ?

Cheers,
Hans W

[Allan]

Hi,

You might find some on an older neck. You might also try finding a farmer with an old barnyard rooster. Maybe for sale? You can buy a neck from Denny, Conranch Hackle. He leaves the 'spade' hackle on the skin. Lastly, you could contact Charlie Collins, Collins Hackle. He sells spade tailing feathers.

Allan

[mvalbano]

Thanks Hans & Allan. I use Coq de Leon on most of my patters for tailing, I just wanted to stick to the traditional for my quill Gordon's and Hendricksons etc. I know Charlie will be at the Somerset show in a few weeks so I will see what he's got, if I have no luck i will contact Denny. Thanks Again

[Hans Weilenmann]

I just wanted to stick to the traditional for my quill Gordon's and Hendricksons etc.

Warning - mild teasing ahead:

Michael... if you really want to go traditional you should use very soft tailing fibers... as the really old American patterns, such as you mention, that I have seen and where possible handled had pretty soft quality tailing material

To wit:

http://www.classictrout.com/phpBB2/v...c.php?f=13&t=9

*teasing off*

Best of success getting the desired material.

Cheers,
Hans W

[mvalbano]

Thanks for the tip and the link Hans!

[Byron haugh]

Hans is correct, I believe. Have previously posted that the Dette's wanted sort of softer tailing fibers which would "bend" rather than break the water's surface tension.