FLYMPH FORUM

I have had only one experience with Coachman Brown in feathers. Well actually it was a friend who several years ago asked a fly shop owner at a show if he had any rooster capes in Coachman Brown. The answer was to try Clairol. This got a chuckle out of the owners help but did little to amuse my friend. I have to wonder if we haven't been sort of programmed to accept the red brown capes and saddles as close enough.

I'd urge you to think beyond the arbitrary, restrictive limitations of what Corporate America chooses to offer. Dyeing feathers yourself—perhaps even with natural, non-commercial dye sources—is an option, but, just yesterday, I skinned a ring-necked drake; his feathers run from black to white, with lots of dark-brown and even brown/mottled feathers in soft-hackle sizes on his neck.

The feathers are out there.

John

Other than a bunch of hackles that I bought from Conranch Hackles virtually all the other hen hackles that I have came from Dave Roberts of Feathers Emporium in Madison, WI. I've visited Dave's home several times and you wouldn't believe his stock of hackles. I literally mean his entire basement, from floor to ceiling, has shelves of Rubbermaid boxes filled with bird skins.

By the way, I always thought that Conranch Hackles were some of the best available for tying soft hackles, especially their JV Hen skins. Lots of nice small, soft hackles. Take a look at these two links for more info:

https://clearwaterhackle.wordpress.com/about/

http://www.clearwaterhackle.com

Bob

I've noticed "Coachman Brown" in the past 10 years or so has fallen out of favor for one reason or another... It's a very nice shade of brown with it's rich, dark brown and hues of red. I have a Whiting Herbert Miner cock ape in Coachman Brown and very rarely find a need for using it... maybe for throats on wet flies and such but, nothing more than that.

Then again, I don't find myself very often fishing dries.

John,

Wow...that is a gorgeous fly! Classy!

PS - Your photo looks like a book cover.

Ray, don't encourage the cheesehead. He is still recovering from the Packers getting their curds handed to them.