Anybody Fish Featherwings?

[BugChucka]

I think the featherwing streamer is quite possibly the most attractive pattern to be found and offers New Englanders a sense of regional pride. The patterns can be difficult to tie and a little expensive, but in my opinion, they're well worth it. The Winni. and Conn. Lakes regions have had an important part in the developments and innovations featherwings have seen and will continue to. These flies aren't just aesthetically pleasing however, they catch fish, and not just trout. If you think I'm kidding try spinnin up a grey ghost on a 3/0 hook and see what the stripers do. I'm not going to say I fish them all the time but they definitely are part of my arsenal. Ever tied a dozen up and put em' in a shadow box? It makes for a great display that's right at home in NH. Get out and give an ol' featherwing a try. You won't be dissapointed. If anyone's never fished one before drop me an e-mail and I'd be glad to send you one to try. Anybody else fish featherwings?

Remember...Ice out + featherwing streamer= lakers/salmon/trout

[fessiewig]

I'm there pal. Have you ever tried the Brook Trout in a featherwing with the spots painted on the sides of the wing? EXCELLENT FLIE!!!

[RichShady603]

I love featherwings.. love to tie em and fish them.. Sometimes they are almost too pretty to put in water..
Since we are on subject of streamers have you ever tied or fished a featherhead.. I was just reading my Fly Tyer magazine "spring 2005" and there is a article on featherheads and some recipes for them too. I haven't tied or tried any yet but, they seem to be a little more realistic.

[fessiewig]

I saw the same article. After many years of chaseing all the new patterns and styles year after year I ended up with a box full of flies I didn't use. I've decided to stick with the "old time" patterns and styles for the most part. The problem with my new found philosophy is that during that
period I discovered a couple of tying styles I just love, not many, but a few. I'm not sure what the balance is, perhaps it boils down to tying what YOU think will work in your style of fishing. I truly believe if you have confidence in a fly you'll catch fish with it. Why? Because you'll fish it more. It's that simple.

[Flyfish99]

I've fallen into the same trap of tying the neat stuff I see on the net and in magazines. Most of them don't work all that well, but a few have found their way into my flyboxes.

Featherwing streamers are neat, and In always carry a few Black and Grey Ghosts, as well a Col. Bates. I'll tie a few of the same patterns using marabou, and I am very fond of bucktails. The Magog Smelt is my favorite...works real well even where there are no smelt. Just a real fishy looking pattern.

[fessiewig]

Some of the waters I fish are full of perch. A great perch pattern is the Barnes Special. I discovered this streamer last year fishing for LL Salmon. It's a great pattern and the LL's love it. I bet the Pemi/Merrimack would be good places to try it.

[BugChucka]

You guys bring up some great points.

"I truly believe if you have confidence in a fly you'll catch fish with it" Absolutely!!!!!!!!!!

"Sometimes they are almost too pretty to put in water" I agree.... but I hate to sit on flies as well. I have a box full off beautiful streamers I know I'll never fish and that I need to get rid of. Hundreds of hours of tying into them.

Flyfish99, I aso substitute with Marabou on occasion
and some of my best smallie fishing days are owed Black Ghost.

[PW]

Thumbs up to the Barnes!!! The 9/3 is my second favorite.

[flytackle]

I enjoy streamers as well - here are some Counterfeiters I tied up for landlocked's - This has been a very productive pattern for me - tight lines, Alec

http://www.favoriteflies.com/counterfeiters2.jpg
THE COUNTERFEITER

[fessiewig]

Nice looking flies Alec. How about the receipt?

PW - I love the Nine-three.

[troutscout]

That is really some beautiful work flytackle! I have never really tackled featherwing tying...but you all are getting my fingers itchy. I've only been tying for about 2 years and there just never seems to be enough time in the schedule for all the new flies I want to try...I'm only 38 but I gotta hurry up and retire so I can get some more of these beautiful patterns covered.

[flytackle]

Thanks - here's the recipe:

Counterfeiter
body: silver mylar (I add oval silver tinsel ribbing)
Throat:white bucktail, red bucktail, yellow bucktail, sparse (the original calls for white bucktail, red calf-tail, golden pheasant crest)
Wing - sparse purple bucktail flanked by grey saddle hackle
Shoulders: Pintail feathers
jungle cock eyes

Tight lines, Alec