Patterns using magpie

[Ptinid]

I have come into possession of some magpie wings and bits of belly and back. Lovely feathers, wings and back are iridescent, belly white, fine fibred feathers.

I have some ideas for them, but wondered if anybody has come across patterns that call for these feathers?

[Dougie Smith]

I'm pretty sure that W.C. Stewart talks about hackles from a magpie for use in spider patterns. I think that he mentions starlings and magpies. If you have feathers that could be used for a hackle, I'm sure that they'd be effective on a spider.

[Clan Chief]

Here is a fly i tied at the end of last season . Recommended by Piscatus. I have had decent success with it.

size.      10
thread.       black
body.        peacock herl
tail.        red game fibres
rib .     silver wire
wing.        Magpie tail
hackle.       Black cock



or view it here in my virtual fly box........http://www.wildfisher.co.uk/smf/index.php?topic=2754.0

[Ptinid]

Thanks to all. I'll tie some of these, and maybe a few of my own ideas. Let you know 

[Dougie Smith]

I looked through WC Stewarts "A Practical Angler" last night and found that I was wrong, he doesn't mention magpie at all. Starling is highly recommended but not magpie. I also looked through a booklet on spiders written by Malcolm Greenhaugh (sp?) and the only mention of magpie is the herl from the tail feathers being used on the body.

[Ptinid]

Interesting that, for a 'pest bird' that can be 'dealt with', there are so few patterns using anything except tail. Maybe there's a reason? Well, I'll find out when I try it out.  :?

[.D.]

Interesting that, for a 'pest bird' that can be 'dealt with', there are so few patterns using anything except tail. Maybe there's a reason? Well, I'll find out when I try it out.  :?

If there is, I doubt if it's a good one :think2 :wink:

I use the black back hackles for any hackled wet that calls for a black hackle. They're very soft

Cheers,

.D.

(PS- I think the tail herl was also popular for some of the old spider patterns - wound on  as a head in front of the hackle)

[.D.]

Here's a Dark Watchett using a small Magpie undercovert for the hackle ( rather than, say Jackdaw).
Kind of thing I tend to use Magpie for.


Cheers,

.D.