For many years the hen and rooster feathers from 'Indian' birds was the 'best' available.

They still raise them for fly tying over there. Some of the feathers are excellent. I have a couple of 'india' rooster capes that are amazing. Smaller and not as many feathers as the genetic birds of today, but what's there is first rate. First true cree skin I ever saw was on an 'indian' rooster cape. Still using that one, but it's been picked over pretty well now...

I really like the markings you can get on some of these imported skins. The hen feathers especially have a bunch of uses. They make great soft hackles, and I use a lot of them for bass bug tails and backs on hopper patterns. Whenever I find a shop that sells them, I'll dig through whatever they have and buy any with unusual colors or markings.

They aren't the genetic hackle we've all come to rely on for dry fly hackle, but they still have lots of uses for the fly tyer.

Buddy