I have been trying Whitings Brahma Hen hackles and this is a series of Dotterel flies I tied because the particular saddle I bought was called Plover (Dyed Golden Straw).
In John Roberts Dictionary of Trout flies the hackle for the Dotterel flies was given as Plover. As Plover is very difficult to obtain this looks like a reasonable substitute.
I also bought an undyed saddle Grey Speckled which was recommended as a Partridge substitute. It is not bad but as Partridge is not to difficult to obtain, I think I prefer partridge.
This is the Dotterel series :- [url=http://www.dtnicolson.dial.pipex.com/page53.html:96a48]http://www.dtnicolson.dial.pipex.com/page53.html[/url:96a48]
If you want Golden Plover try Steve at Ckookshill. He does full skins that are excelent (?30). He doesn’t have any problems exporting to Scotland either!
I must admit I have 7 dotteral hackles, from an ola collection of materials, and would not have thought the plover a good substitute for them. Woodcock would be closer.
Here’s a challenge for you. Shoot a dotteral and see how many flies you can get tied before they lock you in goal and throw away the key!
Cheers,
Alan.
"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, martini in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming “WOO HOO what a ride!”
Excellent job of tying Donald !!! Looks like some tasty trout candy to me & sounds like a great product to try at the vise; thanks for sharing !!! I am really starting to put spider patterns in my box (even the ultra realistic ones) !!!