FLYMPH FORUM

This is an example of a starling skin, which was skinned and processed round (unsplit tube)




I like the split skins better. You can inspect the feathers easier, and look at the back (skinside) to make sure there isn't any fat/meat left on the skin. When picking out a starling skin, I like to find a bird which has glossy iridescent feathers.



As you can see, this skin was kind of oily on the backside. It is a good idea to wash the skin in Woolite, to remove the excess oil, then re-dry the skin.



Close-up view of a starling wing. Notice the nice iridescent green, when angled to the light.


Here is a bleached starling skin. Bleaching results in a lovely tan coloration.


Dyed Olive




Dyed Tan (makes a nice landrail sub)

Starling, together with the English partridge, is on the "must have" list for new tiers. Best purchased when you can physically inspect the skins yourself looking for the best feather sizes and colors. Once you get "picky" about your feathers, you will find out that the 5 or 6 skins on the fly shop wall rack may yield one that will meet your approval.

Note of irony: Starlings were originally imported to the USA by well-meaning English settlers, and with few natural predators here, they became an invasive species that breeds rapidly, bullies local songbirds, and leaves messy droppings all over parked vehicles. Ironically, the British equivalent of PETA managed to get the starling designated as a protected songbird in England a few years back, so English tiers can now obtain starling only with difficulty. Sort of like us if we wanted to tie with bluebird feathers ...

tie2fish wrote: ↑Sat Oct 20, 2018 10:26 am Best purchased when you can physically inspect the skins yourself looking for the best feather sizes and colors.

Bill - That has been my experience as well. I prefer buy starling skins that I can inspect first-hand.

As requested, pics of the Ellis Slater subs plus a couple dyed wings I inherited from a friend.

Here's Part 2

And, lastly, Part 3

I purchased a couple pairs of bleached starling wings on-line that I'm going to try to dye for landrail subs. We shall see ...

joaniebo,

Would you mind if I move these posts over the the Soft Hackle Material section of the forum? These additions would be a good fit with the reference photos for different materials.

It's nice to see subtable substitutions for the hard to find materials.

Blackbird sub. Now that's one I don't have (yet).

Thanks for sharing.

letumgo wrote: ↑Sun Oct 21, 2018 4:09 pm joaniebo,

Would you mind if I move these posts over the the Soft Hackle Material section of the forum? These additions would be a good fit with the reference photos for different materials.

It's nice to see subtable substitutions for the hard to find materials.

Ok with me, you da boss!

Bob