Wood Duck

[NJpatbee]

Either the reports that the wood duck population is healthy are inaccurate or there is a lack of duck hunters, because prices seem to have risen in a big way the last couple of years. I have been searching the ususal suppliers and web sites and the price/feather is any where from $.60 to over $1.00 (plus shipping).

I enjoy tying (and fishing) many of the traditional Catskill dry flies, and insist on using natural wood duck. I have experimented trying to tie more than 1 fly from a single feather and have never been satisfied with the results. In fact, I often use 2 feathers for a fly, depending on the quality of the wood duck flank feathers.

Has anyone found a supplier that consistently offers high quality wood duck flank feathers or full skins at a reasonable price?

 

[Broadheadscreek]

Hi Pat I hope duck hunting season brings on a rash of flank feathers to ebay you may want to check there. Sometimes you can even get a full skin if you are patient . Scanning some of the vintage tying materials for sale on there has netted some good results. Good luck I hope you find a bunch for yourself as there is nothing like the real deal and if I come across a bonanza I'll let you know via PM.

 

[emerger]

My 12 ga. franchi is my supplier. PA is loaded with woodies this year. My buddy and I got 4 the other day. I hope this snow and cold hasn't sent them south. We have one more week of the early season.

 

[trico mike]

I saw tons yesterday on my opening day missed one and couldn't get any others close. One day this week I'll be back out. Hope I shoot a little straighter as my supply is getting low.

 

[MikeValla]

Hello NJpatbee:

As you said, wood duck is expensive...and beyond the price there's the quality issue. This statement could have been made (and actually was made, to an extent) by Theo. Gordon. What he said holds true today. Hunt your own and you'll get not only what you want. But the quality you want.

(You can read about my forays in the swamp, after woodies this year, at the Sparse Grey Matter site---(under the "hose 'em down" post.)

When you consider the expenses driving to the swamp (although the place I hunt is only 8 miles from my house) purchasing non-lead shot shells, dekes, etc. who knows how much you save. And that's if you get a couple of birds.

But actually Woodie populations are up. In NYS you can take 3 drakes this year per day. I only got one Drake so far in this split season. (actually, I got 3 woodies---but 2 of them were plastic and the migrated to my house via a Brown delivery truck from Cabelas. Shot up two dekes on a flock coming in low). I do it--hunt my own-- to get the feathers I want really. For the quality.

But I have purchased flank, too. FeatherCraft, Bass ProShop has pretty good stuff. But it is pricey.

One thing that has worked in the past is to alert your area Rod and Gun Clubs (I do that, too). Put a flyer up offering a few dollars for a drake. Give them a few flies.

Hope that helps,

-Mike Valla