Owl substitutes?

[Updtate]

This fly the Cinnamon No.55 from T.E Pritts North Country Flies calls for Hackle from a Brown owls wing and a body dubbed with water rat both unobtainable today. I usually use pine squirrel as a sub for water rat and that is fine. The silk is Pearsalls yellow and the hook is a Alec Jackson North Country Fly size 13 I procured from Jim Slattery a couple
Of years ago. The Hackle I found while cleaning my desk this morning! I have no idea what it is but it looks just fine to me.

P_20201230_143036.jpg (202.77 KiB) Viewed 3132 times

[letumgo]

So nice.

[Fishnkilts]

Fantastic looking fly.

Question. How does one know what material to use when the original material is no longer allowed or available to get?

[Roadkill]

Surf the net... fly tying (Bird Feather) substitute?

http://classicflyrodforum.com/forum/vie ... =73&t=8858

https://globalflyfisher.com/patterns/the-brown-owl
...

[letumgo]

Rob mentions a rump feather from a game bird as an owl sub.

[letumgo]

After reading the earlier post, I started looking around for a Brown Owl sub. I've settled on Ring Neck Pheasant Rump marabou feather. These feathers seem to have the same soft texture of the owl feather (my best guess based on Rob's video).

The clip is holding the feathers located at the sides of a pheasant rump. The soft marabou feathers are covered (hidden) by the other feathers in the rump section.



I picked these feathers, since they had a warm tanish brown color and had the soft side barbules similar to the owl feather.


Pull the fibers to 90 degrees from the center stem, which helps even the tips. You can adjust the length to suit your purpose by carefully positioning the clip.


Trim off the fibers, as show below.


Attach the thread and form a small thread dubbing loop. Insert the fibers into the loop and twist, forming a short section which can be wrapped just like a hackle. Tie off, and clip off any excess loop material.


Finish the fly as normal.


Some of the other feathers near the tail have a nice auburn/reddish color near the tips (feather on left). These might also make a nice sub.


Additional Reference: See the Chapter entitled "Hackles & Feathers" (page 212) in Robert Smith's book "The North Country Fly", which shows a close up photo of a Brown Owl over-covert feather. Lovely tan and brown feather with fine wispy barbules.

[letumgo]

Tom - Your fly pattern scaled up nicely to a steelhead version.




Tied here as follows:

Hook - Tiemco Model 200R/Size 4
Thread - 8/0 UNI-Thread (Light Cahill)
Tag/Rib - UTC Ultra Wire (Silver/Medium)
Rear Body - Pearsall's Marabou Silk (Primrose)
Front Body - Five or Six Strands of Peacock Herl (Natural) - strengthened with thread dubbing loop for durability
Collar - Ringneck Pheasant Marabou (Natural Reddish Brown) - tied in by the tip, folded and wrapped as collar

[NightWatchman]

Pretty damn nice Ray.

[Updtate]

Nice tying Ray!!!!


Tom

[letumgo]

Thanks guys. It was Tom's fly that inspired me. Just couldn't stay away from the vice, once I saw that fly.