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I'm hoping to tie some Leisenring Black Gnats. The pattern calls for "2 or 3 fibers from a crow's secondary wing feather". Does anyone know of a source for these?

Thanks- Ken

FlyFisherMann1955 wrote: ↑Tue Feb 01, 2022 7:50 pm I'm hoping to tie some Leisenring Black Gnats. The pattern calls for "2 or 3 fibers from a crow's secondary wing feather". Does anyone know of a source for these?

Thanks- Ken

Ken,
Try Steve at Cookshill.

Lou

John / Lou,

I appreciate the leads.

Thanks- Ken

FlyFisherMann1955, Howdy;

Bought a fine pair of Crow wings from Jim Slattery's site (10 or 11 years ago),
they worked for what I need them to.

hank

Be careful. Crow feathers are one of the questionable feathers to possess. I believe that some States do allow people (mainly, farmers) to shoot crows with a special permit. But it’s a no-no for most hunters.

“ The possession of feathers and other parts of native North American birds without a permit is prohibited by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA).Feb 28, 2020”

I saw this awhile back. Guess it’s up to each state.
http://wildlifecontroltraining.com/wild ... ies/crows/

I picked up a pair of crow wings (Veniard) from Competitive Angler. Pulled 1 feather before sending them to the freezer. Of course, I could have just put them outside since today's high temp was 14 degrees. Quite the change from Monday when it was 74 degrees! That is 1 of the things that makes gardening in OK such a challenge, but I digress.

Took a shot at Leisenring's Black Gnat:
Hook: Maruto D82 - Size 14
Thread: Pearsall's Gossamer - Claret
Body: 3 fibers from a crow's secondary wing feather
Hackle: Purplish black feather from a Starling

Notes: I omitted the optional wing of dark Starling since the fly in the photo in the book didn't have a wing.
Kept the hackle short like the fly in the book photo (page 113).
For the fly on the left, I added a rib of 6X tippet material since those crow wing fibers seemed very fragile
(forgive me Forum Ghillie for I have sinned)!

Tight Lines- Ken

Two thumbs up! The herl bodies are perfect. Very well done.

BTW - Those Maruto D8 hooks are new to me. Very cool.

Ray,

I thought the body would be darker since it uses a crow feather. When you look at the feather, it looks "black"; however, when you separate 3 fibers and wrap them around the hook, it's more of a "Gray Gnat". Perhaps that is why he lists the body material as black silk or 2-3 fibers from a crow feather.

Next, I will try ribbing 1 with XS black wire. Without a rib, I picture these herl bodies falling apart after you catch 1 fish!

Tight Lines- Ken