The sun making it's light shine through the forest, giving hope to what will be a beautiful day. There is a trail that winds through this forest that is littered with pine needles. The needles put down a carpet that is comforting and protective in many ways. Not far is a stream that flows rough and tumble style and it's cold waters are home to wild brook trout. It was on this day that I was seeking these brook trout but in the process found something else.
On the forest floor on top of the amber pine needles were a clump of feathers. These feathers were not bound to the forest floor and could have blown away with the slightest breeze but they didn't. I reached down and picked them up. They were not identified by me and they looked as if they were plucked out of the bird instead of feathers that were torn out by some predator. I picked the feathers up and placed them in a plastic bag I carry in my pack and took them home.
I sorted the feathers and found them quite nice. They had a dark center with white tips. The fibers were soft and had a feel of marabou. I prepped a couple of feathers and and tied them to a hook.
The two flies they created were beautiful. Simplicity was key but that elegance that simple things can bring forth.
I am not certain I will catch a trout on these flies, or if I will ever fish them.
Very nice and resourceful.
ReplyDeleteDave
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I figured why let them just blow away. They were there for a reason, the rest of the feathers were gone. Maybe there was some intervention?
I know those would catch you trout!
ReplyDeleteNathan Camp
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Nate your probably right. But I'll save them for the right time or should I say occasion.
The little angler likes the color orange if I remember. Are there any other colors she fancies?
She would tell you "ALL", but she definitely favors bright colors.
DeleteThanks Nate.
DeleteCouple things, Alan. Pine needles on the forest floor are nice unless they are within the 100 foot defensible space of your house. Then it's rake and burn, rake and burn until you hate pine needles. Second, in California it's against the law to pick up bird feathers. Why? I have no idea. Seems picky to me.
ReplyDeleteMark Kautz
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Mark granted they do burn with ease. Care required when around them. Lot's of silly laws on the books in this country.
California takes to extreme the migratory bird laws. Not a few species of bird are protected for one reason or another and that makes possession of their parts (feathers included) illegal.
DeleteImagine explaining that to my three year old four times fast.
You absolutely should fish those flies. They remind me of Gartside patterns. If a fly can be ephemeral, that second one is it. Great ties, Alan.
ReplyDeletemike
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Mike Gartside yes. He would go on those material shopping sprees along Route One. He could do wonders with roadkill.
Alan,
ReplyDeleteThose feathers have great value
Your fly looks elegant and very well tied
Maybe using it and catching some trout with it is the best, you will close the circle and your satisfaction will be special.
Humberto
Achalabrookies
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Humberto I guess your right. Those feathers were there for a reason. So by tying the flies and fishing them will complete the cycle. We shall see.
Reading this and seeing the photos makes me want to learn to tie flies! It would be satisfying to catch fish with these original creations that have such a link to the forest.
ReplyDeleteShawn
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Shawn you should start tying. You can do it slowly and do not have to spend a great deal of money at the start. I'll offer you some materials to get it going. The satisfaction you'll get will be so rewarding.
Hi Alan
ReplyDeleteWhat a great find........
You should and must fish those flies, they look like they have movement that shouts life (of some sort anyway).
Please report back with the results!
Take care and stay safe
Alistair
Alistair
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Alistair I'm going to fish them. Those flighty feathers should get the trout senses going.
Alan
ReplyDeleteSave one of these flies to remember this outing and fish the other to land some of those colorful brook trout. Really like the color combo on both files--thanks for sharing
Bill Trussell
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Bill you guys have convinced me to go ahead and fish them. I know with the amount of movement in the hackle they have to get attention.
Beautiful use of the feathers you found, Alan. I know those will catch fish. I also keep random feathers I come across and make flies from them. Right now I have a blue jay tail feather in my den, not sure what I am going to do with it though.
ReplyDeleteRegards, Sam
Sam
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Sam blue jay colors are brilliant. Rich and deep. They also look cool stuck in your favorite fishing hat.
I confess to using seagull feathers gathered from the beach to tie Pritt’s No. 39, the Old Master, as a substitute for heron herl in the body. Works well, smells like the ocean (OK, just kidding about that last part). And I do gather assorted feathers from around our bird feeders, which often include a bigger selection after a Cooper’s Hawk has found a hapless victim. Kevin
ReplyDeleteKevin
Ned Zeppelin
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Kevin, your quite resourceful. I'm sure Mr. Pritt would understand in your substitution. Those birds of prey will really pluck a bird.