Hello everyone, Quick question on feathers. Is there any common feathers that would do to practice on? I've tried a hummingbird with no success. I live in Kentucky so I was thinking about a Bob White Quail. Thanks for any help and "Happy New Year to all. Looking forward to the Expo.

The best, and some of the most common are from ringneck pheasant. If you know anyone that hunts them, have them save you a cape and it provides lots of options for using on feather inlays.

Terry

I have used guinea hen feathers for inlays. They're not particularly colorful, but you can obtain more than enough in any fly shop for next to nothing. Used in mass, they do produce a nice effect on the butt section.
Slainte,
Hunter

From ghoulies and ghosties,
and long leggedy beasties,
and things that go bump in the night,
Good Lord deliver us!

Thanks for the info guys. No wild pheasants in Ky. but I got a friend who has a hunting preserve and he is going to save me a sack full.

Mr. Hodges,
What part of Kentucky are you from? I'm located in western KY, around KY Lake.

Mr. Hodges,
What part of Kentucky are you from? I'm located in western KY, around KY Lake.

Howard,
you may want to read up on the legality of using common bird feathers.
Most that you can get hold of and would want to use are covered by a CITES agreement.
Hummingbird or any bird that migrates is likely to be on the list.
Oh and CITES covers everything from butterflies(they are also illegal) to Ivory and Rhino horns(also illegal).
Just Google it and then go buy yourself some feathers from a reputable dealer and keep the certificate of origin.
This is critical if you or your customers plan to ever take your rod on a foreign trip, it could save you many problems, even lots of jail time .

Siskiyou up on the North West coast is one that comes to mind as a good safe source.

Some reading just to start you on this:


[www.fws.gov]

Pick up a bag of fly tying feathers They also come in small bags of several so you can get several colors

I rinse mine in hot water then place in a paper towel to dry

Bill - willierods.com

Dyed feathers can bleed colors onto surrounding feathers and thread, and into wet cp. They can also fade, or change color when exposed to good fishing weather.

As a rule, I stay away from dyed feathers now.

That is why I wash all feathers Just to be sure i always take a look at them - outside - in the sun just to be sure Have not noticed much of that

Bill - willierods.com

Frist off, thanks for the legal info, Lou. I should have thought of that but guess I was just excited about trying an inlay. I'm a retired Ky. CO and know several of the local federal officers.
Jeremy, I'm from Franklin and am friends with JB Hunt. You probably know me as "Doc" my nickname. I fish alot on the north end of Ky Lake and plan on stopping by your folks IGA next time I'm up there.
Thanks guys for all the info. This rod building has become addicting just like I was warned about. If it was not for this site I'd probably given up already. Now I'm looking forward to meeting alot of you in North Carolina next month. Jeremy, I'll be at our meeting in April and will be prepared to fish after the meeting.