starling for soft hackles

[Greg]

I just thought I might pass on this tip.

I really like fishing soft hackles particularly in the smaller #18 sizes. But in the past when I've tried to tie them they would just never look right - the hackle portion in particular. Partly because I've found it really hard to find feathers in these smaller sizes without buying an expensive ($30 - 40)cape. But I just recently discovered starling capes/feathers. They are only a few bucks for a cape with a ton of feathers including a lot in those smaller sizes.

I tied some up yesterday and they look really good - almost as good as the ones you can buy at BCO or RR outfitters. Hopefully they'll fish well too.

Greg

[jdmidwest]

They make excellent soft hackles and there is no closed season on them in MO. They are a nuisance bird that can be killed any time. For the cost of a well placed pellet and a little borax you can make your own. Make sure they spend a little time in the freezer to kill the bugs on them.

Or Feather Craft in STL sells them for next to nothing already treated.

[Randall]

there was an article on starling for soft hackles in fly rod and reel or flyfisherman a couple months ago... i can't find the article, but if i remember correctly, the author made it sound like starling was the original feather for the soft hackle(?).

i might just have to get a starling cape to try it out.

[Danoinark]

Your right Randall many of the traditional North Country spiders, soft hackles and wets used starling. It makes a fine soft hackle.

Dano

[MrsDucky]

You mean that darn noise and caca is good for something??? Once you kill it, anyway? Some should tell the people at MSU if they are still having trouble with them. They could make some money and get rid of the silly things!

[jjtroutbum]

Have been meaning to take one off the lawn this spring but have been waiting to get a dry one.

[Crippled Caddis]

As Dano pointed out they are traditional in some of the very earliest soft-hackle patterns.

They are a very invasive import that has had a serious effect on several native songbird species and harvesting some is a very 'good thing'. If you are a bird hunter or have a friend who hunts upland game try Quail, Woodcock and Snipe. They all have great soft-hackles and in smaller sizes as well.

While you have the pellet rifle out of the closet you might as well harvest a few English Sparrows too. They are another invasive and unprotected import in need of eradication and should have some useful soft-hackle.

[Greg]

I'd never thought of shooting my own. That would be a good thing as they are a real nuisance bird.

But for those of you that don't hunt - I bought mine from feathercraft. $5 I think it was.

I tied up a few more soft hackles last night and they continue to look great. The starling feathers just seem ideally suited for that purpose.

Greg

[WebFreeman]

Come on, Greg. We need some pics!!

Shooting seems like a pain in the butt (for me and the bird). But I'm not a hunter. What do you once you shoot them?

[jdmidwest]

You could either pluck the feathers you want or skin the bird and cover in borax, then freeze for a couple of weeks to kill any bugs. Take it out of the freezer and add more borax then let dry out.