junglecock subsitute

[leadhead]

I'm a newbie so be patient w/ me. I've heard that junglecock is an endangered species, so finding it is impossible/illegal.Is this true? If it is then why do so many recipes call for "junglecock or substitute"? Can someone recommend a substitute please?
I'm mainly refering to cheeks or eyes on streamer flies.


thanks:beer:

leadhead

 

[RickW]

Junglecock in the wild may be endangered, but it is being raised domestically also. It's kind of pricy, but IMO there is no substitute for certain patterns.

 

[Fireman202]

I usually experience "junglecock" after several hours of cocktails and fine females walking about!

 

[Pete]

The devotees of classic patterns as a work of art will cringe, but for "everyday" use, you can get away with just skipping the jungle cock. The fish don't seem to mind.

The plastic immitation jungle cock just looks tacky. I still have some, but haven't seen it being sold recently. It's a photo of the real thing printed on plastic strips.

Like Rick said, farm raised jungle cock is available but expensive. I save it for when I'm doing something special.

As a married man, I have to keep the version used by Fireman202 under control.

 

[leadhead]

thanks

thanks for the info.
I would have been disapointed if someone didn't reply as fireman202 did. I expected alot more of those.

:beer: leadhead

 

[RickW]

thanks for the info.
I would have been disapointed if someone didn't reply as fireman202 did. I expected alot more of those.

:beer: leadhead

HEY! Hey! :judge: we take this stuff verrry seriously :clown:

 

[Scott]

I don't think there is a worthwhile substitue for the real thing.

And yes, they are endangered as they occur in the wild, but they are farmed like chickens. No worries of the domestic species dying out I believe.

So if you shop around, you can find capes with lots of splits pretty cheap - relatively speaking. Splits are no big deal, just put a spot of glue on it and pull it between your fingers. I wouldn't do that for a show quality streamer, but I don't tie those so it's not an issue for me.

The jungle cock is there to be the "eye" on the streamer. I've read many times that fish target the eye of their prey species when attacking. Personally I like to use it and always do, but Pete is right you don't really need it.

Do I think it helps me catch fish? Yes. Do I think it will make a difference in helping you catch fish? I can't really anaswer that - that is a question you really have to answer for yourself!

It means you have to fish more to find out tho... Sorry about that...

 

[Pete]

Another "trick" if jungle cock is not available, or too expensive, and you want fish to see an "eye"...

I've seen some inexpensive commercially tied streamers with painted eyes instead of jungle cock.

Tie an slightly oversize black head and paint yellow eyes with black pupils on the head. The heads of two different size finishing (casement) nails can be used to do a neat job. Use the larger nail for the yellow and the smaller one for the black.

I've also seen some with the entire head painted black before the eyes were added. I'm not sure if there was a good reason, or if it was just covering up a sloppy head.

 

[Empty Creel]

The real thing is the best, but starling feathers can do a fair imitation.

 

[Undertaker Don]

You can get JC. pieces fairly cheap on e-bay in my opion you really do need the JC. eyes I fish & tie a lot of streamers & whould never even think about fishin a fly with out the eye!!Why go to all the trouble to tie a streamer & cheap out & cut down on your odds on skipping a simple step!

 

[Shaq]

You can get jungle cock in packs of 10 from certain suppliers. Wapsi I believe.

I have found some pretty good quality in the packs
Melindas in ALtmar up by the Salmon RIver has some from time to time.

you have to buy it in small medium and large but it works if you only want acouple to fool around with. it comes out to about $1 per feather but who cares. it's better than a one time pop of $60-145