Need replacement for partridge feathers?

[Redfin]

Tying more wets and soft hackles. I’m sick of using the bagged partridge. I really don’t want to drop coin on partridge capes.
What out there has good colors and is closes replacement for partridge? Other than starling.


Looking to get feathers in the #10-#14 hook size range.

Thanks men.

 

[dudemanspecial]

Hen capes
Covert feathers from duck wings

 

[Redfin]

Hen capes
Covert feathers from duck wings

Are the capes stiffer fiber? I guess thinking in my head the cape would not be much softer than a rooster?
I have very few dry fly stuff and I don’t do much dry tying at all. But I know like rooster capes are stiff and not very soft or webby. Are the hen capes just a slight off of a rooster cape?
I’m asking cause I really don’t know much about that. Thanks

 

[Bamboozle]

Most decent substitutes (grouse, chukar, Whiting Soft Hackle, ring-neck pheasant hens) that would yield a decent amount of feathers are in the $20 + range.

If you hunt around and do some searches, you can probably find some sources for a full partridge skin close to that price. If that price point is OK, check you PM's.

 

[ROVERT]

I think a skin is worth it. I think I paid $35 for one last year. If you can get them around that price or less, I would go that route.

 

[BradFromPotter]

What out there has good colors and is closes replacement for partridge?

Nothing.
you can get a half skin for $24.50

https://www.etsy.com/listing/667542669/select-and-pro-grade-hungarian-partridge?gpla=1&gao=1&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping_us_ps-b-toys_and_games&utm_custom1=_k_CjwKCAjwgb_CBhBMEiwA0p3oOEE1euB7gPnBuTQ-V9ub-6F7QfdnApnooJp9dOUe3Y4U0Y2Hp0_PgRoCyQUQAvD_BwE_k_&utm_content=go_21791666331_169566861358_716586688968_pla-314535279060_c__667542669_129046916&utm_custom2=21791666331&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21791666331&gbraid=0AAAAADtcfRJKaZs4ZpeWe2F_paeW2QXJx&gclid=CjwKCAjwgb_CBhBMEiwA0p3oOEE1euB7gPnBuTQ-V9ub-6F7QfdnApnooJp9dOUe3Y4U0Y2Hp0_PgRoCyQUQAvD_BwE&variation0=1817313315

 

[Redfin]

Nothing.
you can get a half skin for $24.50

https://www.etsy.com/listing/667542669/select-and-pro-grade-hungarian-partridge?gpla=1&gao=1&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping_us_ps-b-toys_and_games&utm_custom1=_k_CjwKCAjwgb_CBhBMEiwA0p3oOEE1euB7gPnBuTQ-V9ub-6F7QfdnApnooJp9dOUe3Y4U0Y2Hp0_PgRoCyQUQAvD_BwE_k_&utm_content=go_21791666331_169566861358_716586688968_pla-314535279060_c__667542669_129046916&utm_custom2=21791666331&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21791666331&gbraid=0AAAAADtcfRJKaZs4ZpeWe2F_paeW2QXJx&gclid=CjwKCAjwgb_CBhBMEiwA0p3oOEE1euB7gPnBuTQ-V9ub-6F7QfdnApnooJp9dOUe3Y4U0Y2Hp0_PgRoCyQUQAvD_BwE&variation0=1817313315

I never shopped on etsy before buy they do seem to look decent. thanks

 

[dudemanspecial]

Nothing.

This is the real answer for sure. There is nothing quite like partridge

Are the capes stiffer fiber? I guess thinking in my head the cape would not be much softer than a rooster?
I have very few dry fly stuff and I don’t do much dry tying at all. But I know like rooster capes are stiff and not very soft or webby. Are the hen capes just a slight off of a rooster cape?
I’m asking cause I really don’t know much about that. Thanks

Millions of soft hackle flies have been tied with hen cape feathers. Pretty standard soft hackle material. They are different than partridge in that they are typically a little bigger size and they definitely dont look like partridge but trust me the fish won't care.

 

[Bamboozle]

Take a page from my book and buy 'em when you find 'em in bunches because they won't go down in price.

I have a crazy amount of full partridge skins I paid around $10 or less for, maybe 15 or so years ago...

In 2025, I'm feeling like a genius... 😉

 

[dudemanspecial]

Take a page from my book and buy 'em when you find 'em in bunches because they won't go down in price.

I have a crazy amount of full partridge skins I paid around $10 or less for, maybe 15 or so years ago...

In 2025, I'm feeling like a genius... 😉

I think I paid 30 for a full skin from flyfishers paradise a few years ago and within a year of that they shot up to 50.

 

[shakey]

I like grouse,woodcock,quail,hen,starling,and even pheasant rump for larger sizes.

 

[shakey]

Most partridge skins I have bought, have been from eBay

Herbert Miner hen capes are well worth the price too

 

[turkey]

I agree with buying a hun skin. It'll last awhile.

 

[mt_flyfisher]

Another option might be to buy a small grizzly hen neck and dye it brown.

I’ve actually dyed Hungarian Partridge itself brown and believe I ended up with some nicer looking feathers than were on an undyed neck. (Of course I’m not biased.😃)

Or just buy something like this:

 

[Bamboozle]

I think I paid 30 for a full skin from flyfishers paradise a few years ago and within a year of that they shot up to 50.

Yup, I'm SO glad I bought the quantity of skins I did when I was getting them for next to nothing...

If nothing else, I could sell half (not in the cards right now 😉), net a tidy profit and still have more than I'll ever use in my lifetime.

 

[mt_flyfisher]

Yup, I'm SO glad I bought the quantity of skins I did when I was getting them for next to nothing...

If nothing else, I could sell half (not in the cards right now 😉), net a tidy profit and still have more than I'll ever use in my lifetime.

Maybe I’m a genius too.

I bought a ton of jungle mock necks before their price and the tariffs increased. I bought them for $2.00 each (which included air shipping), and a 15% tariff. Sold them for $10.00 each. Then, jungle mock exports were banned and their prices really shot up. Of course that was about 60 years ago.

More recently I bought several Hungarian Partridge skins at around $50.00 each.

So I’m probably not much of a genius after all. (Now I can’t even spell jungle rock correctly.)

 

[Bamboozle]

Maybe I’m a genius too.

I bought a ton of jungle mock necks before their price and the tariffs increased. I bought them for $2.00 each (which included air shipping), and a 15% tariff. Sold them for $10.00 each. Then, jungle mock exports were banned and their prices really shot up. Of course that was about 60 years ago.

More recently I bought several Hungarian Partridge skins at around $50.00 each.

So I’m probably not much of a genius after all. (Now I can’t even spell jungle rock correctly.)

When I was heavily into burnt wing flies, there used to be small wooden barrels on the floor at the Yellow Breeches Fly Shop filled with hen necks of various coloration. I don't remember the price, but I'm sure around a buck or two is about right.

I still have many that I bought to make mottled burnt wings. Some of those mottled necks also served as "faux partridge" until I got my first supply of loose feathers from a local fly shop.

I really miss the days when all the goodies in a fly shop WEREN'T hanging on hooks in Ziploc bags... 🙁