Bird Fur Dirt Dart
Bird Fur Beginnings
Bird Fur development began as a quest for better Spey feathers. Dr. Tom Whiting of Whiting Farms, Inc., says fly tiers’ requests for better Spey hackle led him to a historical investigation of Spey breeds, including blue-eared pheasants and **** ringneck pheasant saddles. Not satisfied with those breeds, the company chose the “silkie” feather genes from an ancient breed of Chinese chicken for this substitute Spey feather line.
Eliminating the black skin from the breed—and years of selection work—ensued, as Whiting attempted to breed a satisfactory tying feather.
“This has taken ten years so far, and I’m finally getting close,” Whiting says. “The customers and pro team members have kept me informed on how the feathers need to be changed and improved over the [next] generations.”
Tiers are using the feathers for bass (Spey poppers), snook, steelhead, and Atlantic-salmon flies, as well as Spey leeches similar to the Bird Fur Dirt Dart.
Copyright © 2012 Intermedia Outdoors
Comments