10 frozen pheasants in my basement!

[Thalweg 0]

I've been tying a little over years (mostly bass stuff) but have gotten into trout stuff a little more lately.

A friend of mine was recently heading out west to do some hunting, so I told him to bring me back any pheasant he got as I could use them for fly tying. Well to make a long story short, I have 10 debreasted frozen pheasant now sitting in my basement.

 

I know the tails (obviously) are useful and I can just pluck those out... should I just skin out the rest of the bird and cover the skin in Borax? That's what I've read. Anyone got a breakdown of this process? A link would be fine.

 

Also, what parts of these birds are particularly useful in fly tying other than the tails. The feathers are all very beautiful so I imagine there are lots of uses. I live in the southeast if that's important.

 

Thanks for any help!

 

[eugward 0]

Yes the skin should be in borax. The rump feather are used for wet fly or nymph hackle. The other feathers are used for other type flies. :headbang:

[Thalweg 0]

Yes the skin should be in borax. The rump feather are used for wet fly or nymph hackle. The other feathers are used for other type flies. :headbang:

 

Got one pelted out... should I keep the wings? Lots of meat in there.

[eastern fly 0]

Any chance you have hen in your pile you can sell me. I need one. If not does anyone else have one I can buy.

[skidoosh 0]

I kept the wings- if you can get to some of the meat do it- if not it can dry out a bit. I washed the pelt in dish soap (dawn or farie is great) but they are not very oily birds. Just remember- borax is your friend.

For suggestions of what to tie Jack Gartside's site has one of the best on what to do with pheasant. I think ringneck is one of the most under used materials in the fly tying inventory.

I just started tying some hopper legs from the tail, started out slow but picking up speed.

[Thalweg 0]

Yes the skin should be in borax. The rump feather are used for wet fly or nymph hackle. The other feathers are used for other type flies. :headbang:

 

Got one pelted out... should I keep the wings? Lots of meat in there.

 

Sorry, no hens in there.

I think I now have what amounts to a lifetime supply of pheasant tails though.

 

Skidook, thanks for the info.

How do I prep a wing for drying exactly?

I removed all the wings from the pelts and just set them aside... not sure how to save them as there is bone/meat in the wing.

[oracle 0]

Hey if you ever descide that you have too many tails ill gladly help realieve you of one .I have no idea what i would use it for but i could find something.

[Guest]

Here's one of the sites mentioned but Terry Hellekson also has an article on pheasant feathers

 

Enjoy

 

Fatman

 

http://www.jackgartside.com/art_pheasant_feathers.htm

 

http://www.terryhellekson.com/ringneck_pheasant.htm

[Ridleyffo 0]

Here is a how to link for skinning and such

 

http://flyanglersonline.com/flytying/atlantic/skinning.php