FLYMPH FORUM

Fur & Finch
Hook: Mustad 3399A #14
Thread: Black 8/0 Uni-thread
Hackle: Upper rump feather from a Zebra Finch
Rib: Fine green wire
Body: A loose mix of red and black rabbit dubbed to the tying thread using a little water to help it cling to the thread.

Zebra Finches are great little cage birds available at most pet stores. They molt frequently, and I've been collecting their very small feathers. Hey! whatever works--Right?

Mark

Now that is creative, and an awesome looking feather it is. Mark I have learned yet another lesson. Keep it up, there is always something new, talk about being aware of your surroundings. Are you friends with grasshopper?

Soft-hackle wrote: Zebra Finches are great little cage birds available at most pet stores. They molt frequently, and I've been collecting their very small feathers. Hey! whatever works--Right?

Mark

Great looking fly! Your local pet shop does a good line in that rare strain of bald finches then, does it?

Andrew.

Beautiful fly Mark. The green rib is an especially nice addition, as is the hackle. Very attractive.

Andrew,
I love birds. My daughter owns two Cockatiels, whose feathers I have been looking at as possible hackle. I own two Zebra finches. Little feathers end up on the floor quite a bit from normal molting. Many are a beautiful shade of dun gray. So little by little, I may build up a nice collection for small flies. I'll have to see how well they hold up under tying conditions-how touchy they are when wrapping.



Mark

Mark, that is a nice pattern, and as always beautifully proportioned. The feather with such a strong white/black marking would make a great feather to dye so you could get a hackle that was the shade you want with a black marking. When you dye most hackles you have to contend with the existing tones, but with this rump feather you get a clean, white canvas.

w

Mark, fly is very nice! I like colour contrast wire - body.

How do You manage to take photo, without using any fly post? Glass and camera below? ...or?