I know this is the place to ask. I’ve never failed to get the help I need.
One of my students at school knew that I tie flies, and use different types of feathers on the patterns. Before the holidays, be brought me some pheasant feathers from one of the birds that his dad brought home, and I used some of them to tie up some jigs that he and his dad could use when they go fishing.
Today he brought me a bag with a couple of skin patches from a goose that he had gotten over the holidays. I’m not sure what part of the bird they are from, but am guessing the breast or back. The feathers vary in color from light, almost white, to a darker gray. They are very soft, and have a wide, flat top edge to them. Not being a hunter myself, I’m not sure what part of the bird they are from, only guessing. Anybody help me out here?
Second question. Now that I have them, I’m looking for some ideas on how to use them. I looked through my pattern books, but haven’t found anything too helpful yet. Any suggestions here would be very helpful.
Thanks in advance for any answers or suggestions.
CJ
From your description of the feather I would assume it is a breast feather. The feathers off of the back are quite similiar but are darker than those on the breast or belly.
Here is a picture of a dissected Canada Goose feather.
You can take the small piece at the top and use it for a spent wing caddis. The feather is tied flat along the abdomen of the fly. See a fly called Nancy’s Prayer in Han W’s site that is tied this way using a woodduck feather.
You can take either of the other two pieces and: 1. Fold the barbs back together and tie the tip of the barbs onto a small dry fly hook to form a tail and then wind the rest of the barbs to form a body. Finish with a grizzly hackle and you have a mosquito sans wings and 2: Use the feather for wings (similiar to a grass hopper.
In addition I saw a pattern someplace where a fellow had used goose feathers in lieu of pheasant tail and he swore that it made a better nymph than a PTN.
Hope This gives you some ideas - Tim Anderson
Have a look here - http://www.sawyernymphs.com/frank-sawyer-nymphs.html
This is Frank Sawyers grandson’s site. The Grey Goose nymph and the Swedish Nymph both use Goose herl for the bodies. There is a PDF file on techniques.
You can’t get a better nymph pedigree than Frank Sawyer. 
p.s. Just a thought, goose herl is quite a good substitute for the verbotten heron herl.
See if he’ll bring you the wings next time.
Donald,
I just looked at that link.
Am I correct in assuming that they used the wire as both the tying thread and for the weight?
If so, my heavens that’s absolutely BRILLIANT!!!
Thank you very much!
Buddy
Yes Buddy,
Very economical, I am just going to have a look at the PDF file. It should show how it was done by Frank Sawyer.
I have wondered why this isn’t done more often ???
I first saw Jack Dennis doing it with a Uni-thread product called Soft-wire…it handles very well.
Frank Sawyers use of wire to tie his nymphs is very well known over here, but nobody else much does it. His nymphs look very stripped down and functional and many tyers like to make their mark on the world of ‘Fly Dressing’ with more elaboration, he invented the PT nymph, but since then the ties of this fly are more complex. There are only three components to his nymphs, a hook, wire and herl strands. They are very successful fish catchers.
By the way there is not much basic dressing info in the PDF file, but still an interesting site, it’s good that his grandson is keeping up the traditional style of flies.
p.s. Someone passed this on to me, just what you want
for tying with copper wire.
http://www.salisburydistrictac.co.uk/gallery_4.htm
Thanks for the help, guys. I went to both of the sites mentioned and now have some ideas for a few flies to try with the goose feathers. Your advice is greatly appreciated.
CJ