Thursday, February 2, 2017

Starling, you are a Darling

Of all the feathers one can use to tie soft-hackles and spiders I feel that the starling is one of the top 3. The starling has a variety of feathers that range in size allowing the tyer to tie flies from #12 to size 18 and 20. And a quality I really like is the iridescent highlight of the feathers. For the most part starling is not fragile, and winds beautifully on the hook.



I don't know if you can see the beautiful highlights in these feathers, but I think fish can.


The starling feather can be used as a substitute for Jungle Cock.


A simple fly....olive thread, a touch of dubbing, and a few turns of starling hackle.


The last few outings I have observed little black winter stoneflies about. They were seen on the snow, and along the stream edges. One of these flies has been so "very" effective on the trout I pursued.











27 comments:

  1. I tried substituting starling for jc but it seemed inadequate to my eye. I do use it for soft hackle purple and starling instead of purple and snipe. Looks fine in that application.

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    Replies
    1. John Dornik
      Thanks
      John on certain streamers say size 10 the starling cheek will do nicely. Larger streamers it's not as good. Starling, snipe and woodcock are interchangeable in my opinion.

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  2. On Rangeley streamers the starling just doesn't do it for me, but on a large flat-wing striper fly they look beautiful. Which, by the way, is what I filled that fly box you gave me with. It is a good home for them! Your little wet flies are beautifully dressed.

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    Replies
    1. RM Lytle
      Thanks
      Rowan as I posted to John starling will not replace JC on Rangeley streamers, but it is good for smaller streamers. I knew you would put that box to good use.

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  3. I am currently "Starling - Less" at Fly Tyin' Times......
    But, have had a skin before and sure did enjoy the quality of the hackle and uniformity. Thanks for sharing, Alan.

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    Replies
    1. Mel-Fly Tyin' Times
      Thanks
      Mel rock bass love starling soft hackles. There's something about all that black motion that gets them.

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  4. Those starling feathers make for a great stone fly imitating soft hackle fly, Alan. Great time of year to tie flies. Lately I have been tying Catskill style dry flies that will hopefully get interest come spring time.

    Regards, Sam

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    Replies
    1. Parachute Adams
      Thanks
      Sam I love the Catskill style fly. The histories of them are so enjoyable to read. I must confess they are very difficult for me to tie. I do love to look at a well tied Catskill fly....so clean and crisp.

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  5. I love them too, Alan. Some of mine come out better than others, but I believe they will all catch trout.

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    Replies
    1. Sam I have no doubt they will coax a few to the surface.

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  6. Well, now I've got to go out and buy two starling skins. One for me and one for Mel.

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    Replies
    1. Now, that was the nicest thing anybody said all day, Howard! If you find a source let me know......

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    2. Howard Levett
      Thanks
      Howard I can give you a source if your interested.
      Nice gesture getting one for Mel.

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  7. Alan I have to admit the starling might be the least expensive hackle we have. I have become very fond of using starling for any soft hackle sz.16 and smaller. I tie a sz. 18 blue winged olive with stripped peacock and starling wing. A simple pattern but when they are keying on olives, pretty effective. I can buy them locally for 7.95 and their nice quality. I like the photo of the flies against the snow. Thankyou.

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    Replies
    1. Brad Basehore
      Thanks
      Brad they are a bargain for what you get. I also have bleached starling and that light color variation can save the day. That stripped peacock and starling sounds nice, I think I'll tie up a few.

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  8. Hi Alan,
    I have in the past used Starling wing coverts for a soft hackle to imitate our Pale Watery Dun and Pale Evening Dun emergers and spents over here in the UK. The flies used straw Pearsall thread and a Starling covert feather on #16 & #18 hooks. They worked well, except after a couple of fish they would have to be replaced as the hackle would be all but destroyed! It is interesting that you find them robust, I wonder if the wings I used had been prepared differently to your skins?????
    All this soft hackle blogging has got me thinking about tying some up over the weekend - I have even had a look at what supplies for soft hackles I have left. So far I have found Red Grouse, Grey Partridge, Woodcock, Snipe, Moorhen & Starling. I have plenty of Pearlsall's thread and a whole mole skin! Just missing the Plover & Coot. It will make a nice interlude from the dries and klinks I have been tying over the last couple of weeks!
    Alistair

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  9. Anonymous
    Thanks
    Alistair, I firmly believe the curing/drying process of the skins determines the strength of the feathers. I have had skins that fall apart and the feathers from those skins are very weak. But overall the starling works well.

    It sounds as if you have enough materials to fill your box with many patterns. I just accessed a natural mole skin and I love the texture of the fur. I have a very interesting story about a starling feathered spider. I think I'll do a post on that soon.

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  10. Alan,
    Use the mole very sparingly on well waxed primrose thread to make a smoky hazy body on your flies. Add a small pearlescent butt / tag and a dark dun soft hackle (I have used coot & Waterhen) and you have a killing pattern. A famous UK angler called Paul Proctor introduced it via the magazine Trout & Salmon a few years ago and it has turned into a modern classic on the North Country rivers over here!

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    Replies
    1. Alistair
      I'll try that pattern, sounds great.
      Thanks

      Delete
  11. Looks like a good fish lunch to me.

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    Replies
    1. Mark Kautz
      Thanks
      Mark that's what I'm hoping for.

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  12. Alan
    I could see a productive streamer being tied from the Starling wing. Thanks for sharing

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    Replies
    1. Bill Trussell
      Thanks
      Bill the starling is primarily a soft-hackle bird. It's possible the wing feathers might be use for winged wet flies.

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  13. Alan, I agree. They are a soft hackle tier's dream. SO many uses and so many translucent colors when wet.

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    Replies
    1. Ralph Long
      Thanks
      The beauty in the various colors of the natural starling are infinite. Ralph they say the male starling is the best as far as colors go...like the cock pheasant.

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  14. Replies
    1. TROUT1
      Thanks
      Pete it's good to see your comment.

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