Mottled Turkey for wet fly wings question.

[10November]

What other feather substations can people recommend to substitute for mottled turkey feathers for wet fly wings? I used up the last of my turkey and have not been able to find any good turkey feathers. which have good mottling. All of the feathers I have are of a solid color or have large barring. I am going to try some feathers of a ring neck off a bird I shot which have some minimal molting and see how they work. Any recommendations would be appreciated.

 

[redietz]

Hen pheasant is what I've used.

 

[dc410]

Hen pheasant is what I've used.

I’ve used hen pheasant as well. Here’s a March Brown wet fly tied using hen pheasant for the wings.

 

[JeffK]

Hen pheasant is good. Peahen or peacock wing feathers are also nice - but expensive if you don't know someone with peafowl.

In the local game birds, grouse and woodcock have mottled feathers, but I hardly bag them anymore. Haven't seen a grouse in the wild for a few years now.

 

[shakey]

+1 for hen pheasant