Okay, this is a true, 'For What It's Worth' comment and not based on anything scientific. As rainbow said, this is an expensive feather and may not be necessary, insofar as the fish are concerned. So, if you think it looks better to you and you want to use woodie flank, have at it. I think most fly fishers will say that the post exists so you can wrap the hackle. Since the post is above the water and encompassed by the hackle, the trout probably never see it. But we can and its visibility, the material as well as the color, is for our benefit. So use whatever color or material you like and feel comfortable using. Okay, here's some scientific information: Years ago I somehow learned about some study that concluded that bright orange was the easiest color to see on the water. Like I said, FWIW.

Allan