Prairie Chicken and Twisted Silk

[tie2fish]

Continuing on a theme, here is another pattern using two strands of silk thread in contrasting colors to create an evenly segmented body.

Hook : Vintage Mustad 3101 Size #12, Limerick bend, straight eye
Tying thread: Pearsall's Gossamer silk #10, ash
Hackle: Hen Prairie chicken (thanks to "dougsden" Doug)
Body: Pearsall's silk thread strands #10 (ash) and #9 (black) twisted together, sparingly dubbed with hare's ear, and wound around the hook so they produce alternating bands of color

Prairie Chicken and Twisted Silk.JPG (71 KiB) Viewed 2956 times

[Boarmountain]

I like that!

[letumgo]

I'm loving these "collaboration patterns". Congratulations to you and Doug, for combining resources and talent to create something special. Great stuff, on many levels.

That prairie chicken hackle is nice stuff!

[PhilA]

I really like the mottled rusty dun color of the prairie chicken hackle. Where might one snag a prairie chicken skin? I gather they are fairly rare except for a swath in the middle of country, and I've not seen them for sale. --Phil

[tie2fish]

I really like the mottled rusty dun color of the prairie chicken hackle. Where might one snag a prairie chicken skin? I gather they are fairly rare except for a swath in the middle of country, and I've not seen them for sale. --Phil

See: https://www.projectupland.com/prairie-c ... hunting-2/

[DOUGSDEN]

Hi guys!
I provided the pile of coal and Bill produced the diamond! His tying skills are exceptional as we all know! Notice the ultra fine dusting of Hares Ear along the entire body! So gorgeous and down-right buggy looking! Consistent results, constant refining, talent beyond description....we are so glad that you call us friends dear Bill! Thank you for what you do!
The Prairie Chicken that I have is a gift from a now deceased friend, Paul Marty, who owned property in Iowa. The first year I heard of his coming and going to that great state, he brought back four hens which I plucked and dried and stored. Sorrowfully, no pheasants made the trip! The wings seem to be where the usable hackles are found! You are right, the coloration is mystical and almost glowing in certain lights! Come to think of it, I don't know that I have ever seen P.C. in any of the catalogs that I own and frequent! Good golly, what in the world do I own? Something rare and wonderful?
Dougsden

[UC Steve]

Awesome patt, Bill. Good thinking. There are a bazillion bugs in summer displaying the alternating bands -- the many species of wee sweat bees found around water come immediately to mind. Inspiring work.