There’s just something special about the gaudy salmon fly patterns of
19th Century England, and there’s no better feather to top these famous
and time-honored patterns off than Spirit River’s Jungle Cock Nail
Feathers. These elegant little feathers are the true gems of the fly
tying world, and contributed heavily to the now famous and almost
Rococo look of these salmon offerings. The unique enamel that these
feathers develop is perfect for imitating eyes on baitfish patterns as
well. Give your fly patterns a little something special with Spirit
River’s Jungle Cock Nail Feathers.
Features of Spirit River Jungle Cock Nail Feathers
Spirit River’s Jungle Cock Nail Feathers can offer a touch of raw and
pure beauty to a range of your favorite fly patterns. Whether you’re
using these beautifully enameled nail feathers to complete an authentic
gaudy salmon fly a la William Blacker or George Kelson, or just looking
for something a little more interesting than a plastic stick on eye for
your saltwater baitfish patterns, these feather will do the trick. They
are harvested domestically and imported legally under C.I.T.E.S. and US
Fish and Wildlife Permits, so you’re guaranteed quality feathers.
Spirit River’s Jungle Cock Nail Feathers are conveniently packaged in
groups of 10 feathers that are matched for size and are available in
small, medium, and large varieties.
Specifications:
- Beautiful characteristic nail feathers with top quality enamel
- 10 nail feathers matched for size
- Top quality nail feathers harvested domestically and legally imported under C.I.T.E.S. and US Fish and Wildlife Permits
- Traditionally used for finishing gaudy Atlantic salmon flies
- Perfect for imitating eyes in a range of baitfish fly patterns
- Available in size small, medium, and large
Leland on Spirit River Jungle Cock Nail Feathers
Gaudy: 1. brilliantly or excessively showy, 2. ostentatiously ornamented; garish.
The gaudy salmon fly, to many, is one of the great iconic images of fly
tying. These heavily dressed flies employed some of the most exotic
natural materials the fly tying industry has ever seen, and are often
associated with old fly fishing bric-a-brac on might expect to find
adorning the walls of a lodge in New Brunswick or the dusty pages of an
old fly pattern book in an English Lord’s oaken study. These flies have
a history all their own, and they have enjoyed a recent surge in
popularity as modern fly tyers try to connect to the past by exploring
the roots of the art.
Salmon fishing in the United Kingdom became popular in the 1840s and
the first salmon flies actually looked a lot less like the brightly
colored creations we conjure when we think “salmon fly.” The original
flies were more drably colored and used less material. The gaudy style
as we know it was probably first developed in Ireland towards the end
of the 1800s. A good approximation for the exact geographic location of
their birth is probably the port town of Limerick where a man called
O’Shaughenessy sold tackle and flies cobbled smartly from the exotic
feathers that were received almost daily at the busy international
port. These exotic materials included Jungle Cock among many
interesting species from far off lands. Fly tyers quickly picked up
this material and began using it to create the striking fly patterns
that would re-shape the sport of fly fishing for salmon.
Famous tyers brought these flies from Ireland to Scotland and
eventually to London where a small cadre of fashionable tackle shops
promoted these patterns heavily and elevated the art form to a Baroque
period. Soon, a battery of these creations were developed, and at their
turn of the century apex, fished in extremely esoteric situations
throughout the United Kingdom and Norway.
A staple of many of these patterns was Jungle Cock, especially the nail
feathers harvested from the cape of this Indian rooster. These feathers
carry a unique white and orange to peach enamel on a jet black
background. In gaudy salmon fly patterns they were often used as
winging materials or included as cheeks or eyes. These rich and elegant
feathers are a necessary fly tying material for modern tyers interested
in replicating the patterns of 19th Century Great Britain. Jungle Cock
nail feathers also make a wonderful addition to a range of creative
saltwater fly patterns from prawn imitations to baitfish streamer type
flies.
Leland on C.I.T.E.S.
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild
Fauna and Flora, more commonly known under the acronym C.I.T.E.S. is an
agreement among international governments across the world designed to
protect endangered species of animals by regulating the trade in these
species for economic gain. The agreement was codified in Washington, DC
in 1973 by representatives of 80 of the world’s most influential
nations. Over the years, the number of voluntary participants has
increased to 172 stipulating parties, making C.I.T.E.S. and its goals
even more influential in the world of exotic species trade and
commerce.
Common Patterns
Many traditional gaudy salmon flies
Creative saltwater baitfish patterns
Spirit River on Jungle Cock Nail Feathers
“Our Jungle Cock Nail Feathers are the absolute finest available
anywhere! These products are from domestically raised birds and legally
imported under C.I.T.E.S. and US Fish and Wildlife Permits. Available
as packages of individual size-matched nail feathers.”
Spirit River on Spirit River
“Since our birth in 1990, Spirit River, Inc has been striving to
fulfill the needs of fly anglers and tyers alike. We work hard to
provide high quality, exciting and innovative materials along with
premium quality industry standard products. We want to make a
difference.
It is our ultimate goal to supply the world with fly tying materials
that stimulate your imagination and stir your fly fishing soul. It is
this goal that has made Sprit River lead the way in new product ideas
and produce ground-breaking products that have set us apart and made us
a true leader in the fly tying industry.”