What is the "weirdous" thing you have ever inlayed as a rod builder?
This could generate some interesting discussion.
What other more common things have been inlayed - Fish scales / fish eyes / photos of loved ones?

I know they look really good but where does this feather inlay caper come from?
Is it from hunting birds or something? I'm planning to do one from a particular finch I used to keep when I was a child. A pure white with tiny black spots - an Australian Finch.

What is the origin of feather inlays?

Do people inlay gemstones?

Interested
Robert

I speculate that feather inlays came from fly fishing people. Lots of us fly rod builders also tie flies. Lots of feathers around, and the Jungle Cock nails used for streamer cheeks are great to inlay for alignment marks on multi piece rods. There is a long heritage of feather art in many cultures going back far into pre-historical times. Feathers, wood grain are both a form of nature's art. Perhaps the easiest way for a craftsman to add art to his artifacts.

Fish hooks

I have seen one old bamboo rod, a very, very old bamboo fly rod, that had a feather inlaid on its surface. I'm not sure what type of bird the feather came from however.

I've seen feathers, coins, buttons, labels, hooks, flys, photos, gemstones, pearl, etc., inlaid on rods. Sometimes on the blank surface, other times in the handle or butt cap.

..........

Hey Robert. . . I've done a few feather inlays on top of gold foil, silver foil and copper foil. The foil can give a melted metal look. Then you place the feather inlay over the foil. You'd be surprised the look you get.

Bob

I've inlayed some gold flakes I panned from our local historic Gold Creek here in Juneau, Alaska, below the ruins of the A-J mine, once the largest producer of gold in the world. The city of Juneau is built on the mine's tailings. I think its kinda cool, but my wife thinks I'm weird...

Ray Vinzant
Juneau, AK

I have inlayed some opal into the base wrap of a few of the rods I've built. The opal doesn't come up that well in the photos but in real life with the sun light on them they are stunning. Look at the work Terry Henson is doing and you'll see that you are only limited by your imagination.

I'm going to inlay scorpins as soon as I feel comfortable with my inlay skills. I caught and preserved another nice one last week.

Rich Matranga
Folsom,Ca.