Black/Dark Soft Hackle

[steelhead281]

Does anyone have a recommendation of the best feather to use for a Black or very dark soft hackle. I would like th barbs to be 5/16 to 3/8 inch long...about

Type of feather and name of a reasonably priced supplier:thmbup: would be nice

 

[flytire]

black hen or cock hackle

crow

larger starling feathers

black dyed game bird feathers

 

[james w 3 3]

X2 on the starling.
Starling and purple, tied North Country sparse, classic. Works everywhere.

You can get them on EBay, full skins. Watching the shipping!

 

[dean_mt]

I use starling wings for small soft hackles, I assume you are tying some big flies for steelhead. I'd look for dyed black hen neck, lots of good webby feathers from smallish to very large. And they are really cheap.

 

[planettrout]

Mallard flank fibers, dyed black:

Mallard Flank Feathers | Bronze Mallard | Fly Tying Feathers

Hen neck, dyed black:

Metz Hen Necks - Grade 1

Hungarian Partridge, dyed black:

http://www.tightline.ee/vi-idoc_edit+i156814


PT/TB

 

[scotty macfly]

Another vote on the Starling.

 

[dc410]

I have really liked using crow covert wing feathers for dark soft hackles. They are very soft and provide lots of movement. You can find a variety of sized feathers on a single crow wing. I killed one last winter and skinned out and deboned both wings and have being using them for soft hackle flies all year.

 

[Rip Tide]

When I was a kid, the traditional Black Gnat wet was one of my go-to flies.
Back yard bird feeder...... pellet gun.....starling ....