Cuckoo and Green

[Johnno]

A skin from a New Zealand Native shining cuckoo found by an acquaintance dead on a local beach when out walking his dog has given me some great little soft hackled feathers. From a lovely metallic olive green back and covert feathers to white and dark green stripped throat feathers.

The following fly has an example of one of these latter feathers. Apologies that the pic does not do the feather justice, but the appearance is quite striking to the eye. Fly not used as yet but I am hoping a local brown or two will find the pattern to it's liking: I had a smaller local caddis fly in mind.

Hook: TMC 2499SP BL
Thread: Gudebrod 6/0 green BCS30
Rib: Silver wire
Body: Thread
Thorax: Couple of turns of Arizona synthetic peacock (Hey, not used the stuff for a long time so thought I'd give it a use!)
Hackle: Shining Cuckoo throat feather

[Johnno]

And this is an example of the metallic olive green back feather. Again apologies as the pic does not do the hackle colour justice but again it really is a striking colour. Can't wait to give them a swim....


Yellow Cuckoo:

[Pat M]

Let us know how they produce Johnno! I'd be curious myself to see the results!!

[Soft-hackle]

Both flies look great. Nice coloration and combination of materials.

Mark