Addiction!

Hello, I have watched you all for awhile, very passionate about tying. You guys are for real! I started tying a year ago, because of a mans article in a catalog from Caruthersville, MO. Mr. Mansfield, he has created a monster and doesn't even have an idea of the magnitude. The winter I have experienced this year, has had me tying like crazy, what a blast! The one question I have is I don't see many duck or goose feathers used in tying? I am an avid waterfowler, I have wood duck, mallard, green wing teal, gadwall, pintail, canvasback ducks, Canada, speck, snow, ross and blue geese feathers at my fingertips. We have squirrel and natural deer tails. So.... Where do I start? I have found for myself in Illinois where I fish, pink with crystalflash or chartreuse and flash produce the best. I know, when I finally get out there, I will go to my favorites! So again.... I ask for help with using feathers that a more experienced jig artist would recommend that have been successful for catching crappie. Thanks and hope for ice off!

go through some of the old post and you will see that we have used every type of father that you could imagine I'm sure that you will get some more replies to your post but we do use quite a few duck feathers on here but just go read some of the old posts you will see.

You can use the duck and goose feathers for many styles of jigs and also many uses while tying flies. You can wrap the whole feather around the hook for the tail or what I like to to the must is to pull the feathers fibers off the stem and tie in the tails. These jigs can be used with chenille body jigs or thread neck jigs. Here are a few pics of what you can do.
You also may want to offer for trade (I may want some myself)some of the feathers you has, may find some with materials you may need or want.

Ronnie

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Lots of guys use planty of Duck and Goose Feathers, of course the fly tyers really love the CDC feathers and on a goose they are bigger. These are found near the oil glands and very thin fine feathers. Most jig guys use the Flank feathers form Wood Ducks, Mallards, Gadwall and teal as all have the barred feathers. I have a lot of duck and goose feathers, it my main tying is Saltwater Neck Hackle and Marabou with a fair amount of kip tail jigs as well. Kip tail and squirrel seems to be good when the water is a little cooler, but personally in spring I don't feel much can really beat marabou. Some guys seems to have specialized on using duck feathers for their jigs.

Nope you can't tie with duck and goose feathers. Pack em up and send them to me, they make good compost!:Rofl

It looks to me that the feathers add a depth of "realism" to the tie. Makes them have an insect look. The ones posted look phenomenal, I'm sure the fish will go nuts!

For years all I used was natural self gathered material. Squirrel Tails, Dove, Pheasant, Quail, Duck, Goose, Chukkar, Grouse, Deer tail and belly hair along with some horse tail and mane trimming. Store the raw end in salt or better borax. After a month or so, remove from preservative and wash and air dry.

Not happy with colors you have, dye them http://thelimpcobra.com/2013/01/15/f...ers-and-skins/
there are many videos available on the subject. I happen to be married to an avid tie dyer so my supply of dies is endless, I think she has more bottle of die than I do of lure paints. BTW buy a hot plate and a cheap pan or you will cause havoc in the kitchen.

JungleJim also ties a mean looking duck jig...here is one of his posts....
http://www.crappie.com/crappie/showt...-s-Flash-Ducks

I met Jim and I agree that he does very nice work. He also will help folks in the usual CDC fashion if they wish to learn. Haven't seen him here for a good while.

If you have an abundance of flank feathers, & pink & chartreuse are your best colors, if it were me I'd learn how to dye some feathers! I've read hear that it's not difficult. I tie with dyed mallard flank some, have about every color available & they make great jigs!

Stump Hunter those are real nice jigs!(let me know what feathers you seek) Thank you all for the information and advice! I didn't always know which feathers where best, I would open a supply catalog look at their feathers and start plucking. Store in freezer, sanitize and repeat the process. I even saved whole wings. Right now, snow/ross and blue geese are in season and I will watch for the feathers you speak of Skip! Crappie papa, up until I became hooked on tying I also thought they make good compost. Thanks again everyone!