jungle cock feathers alternatives?

[robdog]

Just curious if anyone ties a hornberg & if they use real jungle cock feathers or alternatives. I am curious about the alternatives, because real jungle cock feathers are very expensive & I not a fan of the synthetic jungle cock eyes

[Zepher]

Guinea hen ?

[robdog]

Guinea hen ?

Thanks Zepher. I will look into this. Also I have acquired quite a few feathers. I will check more in-depth with those feathers in my fly tying material box.

****update - Zepher thanks to your suggestion & a strong cup of coffee, I discovered a variation of the Hornberg that was created in our waters. The pattern is called a 'Loeberg' created by Sierra Drifters Guide, Tom Loe

[Darian]

How about barred Wood Duck flank feathers?? A section as wide and long as an eye tied in on each side. If you try it, I suggest you lightly coat the section with cement on the back side. Good luck.

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

In fresh water, the Woolly Bugger put thousands of old streamers out of business.

I started selling flies in the 1960s and quit in 2015.

I witnessed all the changes in fly patterns for over 50 years.


______________________________________

We used to go to Rainbow Lodge in British Columbia to fly fish for trout in the lakes and streams.

The owner and top fly fisher, Richard Haavik, told me that the Woolly Buggers removed the need for him to order all

those old BC lake patterns for the lodge, like the Carey Special and the Doc Spratley.

[robdog]

How about barred Wood Duck flank feathers?? A section as wide and long as an eye tied in on each side. If you try it, I suggest you lightly coat the section with cement on the back side. Good luck.

I will give this a try. I have to admit, Zepher got me thinking & I bought a pack of Guinea Body Feathers. They were fairly inexpensive. Check them out

[Zepher]

Robdog - right back at cha. You got me thinking about felt pen colored craft fur as an an alternative. Maybe even using Sally Hansen, or some other nail polish, for the eyeball.

[robdog]

Good idea, but I really believe guinea hen will do the job. I found out that European Starling can work too.

[DLJeff]

I remember this was the topic of an article in Fly Tyer magazine many years ago. I don't remember all the various alternatives but the black & white barred feathers from a wood duck was one of them. If you have access to historical Fly Tyer magazine, you might be able to find it. I recall a similar article that addressed various alternative to rare/expensive/unavailable feathers used in traditional Atlantic salmon flies.

[robdog]

I remember this was the topic of an article in Fly Tyer magazine many years ago. I don't remember all the various alternatives but the black & white barred feathers from a wood duck was one of them. If you have access to historical Fly Tyer magazine, you might be able to find it. I recall a similar article that addressed various alternative to rare/expensive/unavailable feathers used in traditional Atlantic salmon flies.

Thanks bro. I will give that look.