Pheasant clumps/skins (storing a bunch)?

[Brian_A 0]

I have a brother in law who went pheasant hunting in Kanas this past season. I asked him to save me some pheasant tail clumps and send them to me in NJ. WOW! He sent me 41 tail clumps, rumps patches and a bunch of skins. My question is how should I store these for much later use?

I am a trapper and I know how to take care of fur pretty well, but the feathers and all Im a little inexperienced with. Would they be ok in a cardboard box with a bunch of cedar chips in it? I would rather not use moth balls ( I cant stand the smell of them) if I can help it.

 

He must have rounded up everyones pheasant skins and sent them all to me! Gonna be busy tying some patterns using pheasant feathers/tail fibers for a while now! Thanks for any help.

[Joe Hard 0]

If they are dry you can store them that way but zip lock bags will work too. If I were you I would same some natural and dye some different colours. You are set for life

[longears 0]

Do you have a Food Saver? Those feathers will last you the rest of your life unless you're tying to sell. I'd take some of them and dye them , But, I'd take all but say 2 skins and Vacuum pack them (singularly)and store them away from heat and sunlight. I put all of my "on-ice" birds in a boot box in mytying room in a closet. I need something, pull out the box and you can easily see what you've got and it's as fresh as the day you packaged it. 41 birds That's amazing! Goood for you.

[lanvaettir 0]

Just avoid storing them all together. That way if one goes south you won't loose the whole bunch.

[mozes 0]

41 skins - WOW. If I were you I would trade some with other tiers for other materials. This is more than you will need in 5 lifetimes.

 

PS

I don't need any, but just an idea.

[Brian_A 0]

Thanks for the replies. Can anyone reccomend a good book or video on dying/bleaching materials?

[Guest]

Brian,

 

A.K. Best has a pretty good book on dying. Don't recall the exact title but check it out at Amazon or Buy.com. BTW-Buy.com has a lower price on books than Amazon-40% off.

 

Dave

[flyline64 0]

Here's a method for tying pheasant tails that I've used successfully (using Rit liquid scarlet)

 

Get a disposable large roasting pan. Heat water to nearly boiling, put pan on stove and pour in water and mix in pan with dye (use chopsticks or other disposable stick).

 

put the burner (or two, if pan is large enough) on lowest possible setting and drop feathers in (after quickly washing and rinsing with a little dishwashing liquid).

 

Stir and turn feathers for 20-30 minutes.

 

I recommend wearing rubber gloves and an apron, and covering the countertop with newspaper or plastic (spilled dye will stain quickly).

 

The scarlet dye makes the tan/black feathers roughly burgundy.

I tie these pt nymphs with a dubbed reddish brown thorax (instead of peacock). Its a great fly.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Brian_A 0]

Thanks for the dying tips Flyline Ill give it a shot pretty soon. Ill also check out the book too.

 

[Termite 0]

Brian,

 

I am literaly dying feathers every weekend in preperation for a show. I have learned a lot in the last few months. I use mostly FlyDye, it is an awsome product that gives you the acutal color you want and is easy to use. If you need any help E-mail me and I'll do my best.

 

 

Mark

[Brian_A 0]

Thanks Mark. Where is the best place to order this dye from?

[Termite 0]

Here is their website:

 

Flydye website

 

You can also find guys selling small quantities on ebay for next to nothing.

[flyline64 0]

Fly dye new to me too. Thanks for the tip.

[Termite 0]

I have been getting great colors and I'm dying on the skin and plucked feathers. Beware, if dying feathers and one is married BE VERY CAREFUL! DYE WILL NOT COME OFF TOWELS, WALLS, OR OUT OF NORMAL SPAGETTI PANS EASILY!

 

Mark

[Brian_A 0]

Thanks I checked out the website. Looks good. Im going to figure out what colors I want and order some.