The Foxy Starling

[Johnny Utah]

Here is a little wet fly i put together that has served me well on many occasions.

Materials​

Hook- AJ soft hackle hook #11​

Thread- Rusty brown MFC 8/0​

Tail- Wood duck flank​

Body- Wood duck flank wrapped​

Rib- MFC midge body thread- #740 rust​

Hackle- Bleached Starling​

Wing- Fox squirrel tail​

​

 

[Trout Guy]

Awesome tie johnny! I like how you wrapped the wood duck flank for the body. Never tried doing so..

Havent tied any soft hackles since before i lost my nymph box.

Think i might crank a few out to take my mind off my massive hangover.... :beingsick:

 

[Barleywine]

I'm a big believer in starling, but never used it bleached.

Two questions: Does it retain the same iridescence when bleached, and what is your method of bleaching starling.

 

[Johnny Utah]

I'm a big believer in starling, but never used it bleached.

Two questions: Does it retain the same iridescence when bleached, and what is your method of bleaching starling.

It does retain iridescence. The iridescence is a copper color. Unfortunately as you can see by the picture, I cant get this to show up with my camera.
As for bleaching, I use the same methods described in a.k. best book. Dying and bleaching natural fly tying materials. Just use hair bleach. However, I use a diluted bleach mix and I also once clean and clear of the bleach(you have to really rinse it thoroughly), lather up the feathers with conditioner and let it sit over night. Starling can be brittle enough, but bleached, oh boy can it be a bear to tie with if you dry it out with the bleach.

 

[Barleywine]

It does retain iridescence. The iridescence is a copper color. Unfortunately as you can see by the picture, I cant get this to show up with my camera.
As for bleaching, I use the same methods described in a.k. best book. Dying and bleaching natural fly tying materials. Just use hair bleach. However, I use a diluted bleach mix and I also once clean and clear of the bleach(you have to really rinse it thoroughly), lather up the feathers with conditioner and let it sit over night. Starling can be brittle enough, but bleached, oh boy can it be a bear to tie with if you dry it out with the bleach.

Thanks JU, that clears it up for me. I was concerned that the starling would be even more brittle, and you confirmed it. But has a copper iridescence...... oh man I've got to try this! At least starling is inexpensive, so if I break a few feathers, it's not going to break the bank.

 

[Broadheadscreek]

Nice Tye JU! Barleywine you can pick bleached starling up at the show . I believe there was one very nice skin left up at the Evening Hatch fly shop last week when I was there. If you get them from a shop the feathers are generally pretty soft. I must admit when they are bleached the color you get is spectacular . Black bear hair when bleached comes out much the same color from a bright reddish copper to light caramel brown.

 

[Johnny Utah]

Thank you guys. I know that great feathers had them. Just be careful when you purchase one. Watch out for the really light colored ones, they tend to be brittle. But they sure are gorgeous.

 

[Johnny Utah]

Awesome tie johnny! I like how you wrapped the wood duck flank for the body. Never tried doing so..

Havent tied any soft hackles since before i lost my nymph box.

Think i might crank a few out to take my mind off my massive hangover.... :beingsick:

So did you tie any of these???? lets see some pics