Canada goose

[bear claw 0]

My son brought me a canada goose. How do I extract biots and what other feathers would be worth saving.

[Piker20 0]

All of it is worth keeping. The biots are from the wing feathers. Secondary ones I believe.

[eastern fly 0]

There a lots of good feathers on it. Body feathers, CDC, Biots, spey hackle. Many uses.

 

Kevin

[hopperfisher 0]

Just pluck or cut off the feathers that have he biots on them and cut or pull off the biots when u need'em.

 

[utyer 0]

Biots are usually from the leading edge of the primary feathers. The softer secondary, and shoulder wing coverts are good for wings on wet flies (Leadwing Coachman,) and others. The barbs from the secondary feathers are long enough to be wrapped like herl for gray bodies. Breast feathers for fan wings. Use your imagination and creativity to find other uses. There are lots of things to do with feathers.

 

The wing quills can be clipped off the wings, and saved as matched pairs. the skin should be washed, then scraped and dried using borax or salt. I usually store my new "wild" feathers in freezer bags in the freezer for a couple of weeks, then put mothballs in the bags. The smell doesn't bother me, and the smell will air out of the feathers after a few days.

[troutguy 0]

I have a whole one scraped and boraxed. I never liked putting loose feathers in bags. A goose will last a long while, there are some many good feathers. It will get more useful as you grow in tying.

[LP ID 66 0]

Yeah I am looking to get a goose to do the same with. Hope if they hit the field a couple more times I should have them.

[Rocco 0]

And keep a close eye on your Labrador! Mine has a knack for sneaking away with bird hides while I'm distracted.

 

Rocco

[bear claw 0]

Thanks to all who replied. The info is appreciated. Bear claw

[essequamvideri 0]

Bear Claw,

 

OK everyone has covered the biots.

 

I want to know what you did with the rest of the goose. How do you like to cook it? Canada Goose is one of my favorite meats. I am always looking for something new to try.

 

Michael

[jonper 0]

What about using for tails for dark flies?