Fly Tying Feathers

Discover our selection of fly tying feathers - perfect for crafting everything from dry flies to streamers, nymphs, and steelhead patterns. We carry premium fly tying feathers including dry fly hackle, saddle hackle, peacock feathers, ostrich intruder feathers, marabou, chicken feathers, soft hackle, mallard, CDC feathers, duck feathers, coq de leon, pheasant tails, golden pheasant, and schlappen. Sourced from industry-leading brands like Hareline, Wapsi, Nature’s Spirit, Whiting Farms, and many more, these feathers are essential for serious tiers.

Fly tying feathers play a critical role in creating lifelike imitations of insects and baitfish. These natural materials add motion, buoyancy, color, and realism to your patterns. While chicken hackle remains one of the most widely used types of fly tying feathers, a range of other feathers contribute to various fly styles and techniques.

Below is a detailed guide to the most popular fly tying feathers used by anglers and fly tiers worldwide:

Chicken Feathers

Chicken feathers dominate the world of fly tying feathers for their versatility. Used for dry fly hackle, wet fly hackle, and schlappen, they provide structure and movement. Neck hackle is especially valued for accommodating a wide range of hook sizes from a single cape. Saddle hackle, with its longer, uniform barbs, is ideal for sizes 12–16 and offers excellent consistency. Whiting Farms is the gold standard in chicken-based fly tying feathers, particularly with their Bugger Packs designed for woolly bugger patterns. Schlappen—long, soft tail feathers—is a favorite for streamers and wet flies, while Brahma Hen and hen saddles are perfect for soft hackles and nymphs.

Duck Feathers

Duck feathers offer essential variety in the realm of fly tying feathers. CDC (Cul de Canard) is prized for its water-repellent properties and is commonly used in parachute posts and dry fly wings. Mallard flank feathers are highly versatile, used for wet flies, dry fly wings, steelhead collars, and more. Wood duck feathers add a natural barred look to both dry and wet flies.

Peacock Feathers

Peacock feathers are among the most iconic fly tying feathers used in fly design. Peacock herl is often wrapped around the hook shank to create shimmering bodies and thoraxes. Peacock swords are used in traditional patterns like the Zug Bug. Other popular peacock options include blue peacock feathers, eye sticks, and stripped peacock quills—ideal for Euro nymphs and other segmented body patterns.

Turkey Feathers

Turkey feathers are versatile and indispensable in the world of fly tying feathers. The wings and tails are most commonly used for wing cases and body material in trout flies such as the Hare's Ear. Turkey biots—along with goose biots—are popular for wrapping segmented bodies and creating tails on nymphs like the Copper John or Prince Nymph. Turkey flats are a go-to for dry fly wings, especially in Thorax-style patterns.

Pheasant Feathers

Pheasant feathers are essential fly tying feathers in both trout and salmon fly categories. Pheasant tails are a staple material for many nymphs, offering natural mottling and flexibility. Golden pheasant feathers are widely used in steelhead and Atlantic salmon patterns. Pheasant flank and rump feathers add lifelike movement as soft hackle or Spey-style hackle on patterns such as the Carey Special.

High-quality fly tying feathers not only improve the durability of your flies but also enhance their effectiveness on the water. Whether you're tying classic trout flies or intricate salmon patterns, choosing the right feathers makes all the difference. Whether you're a beginner or an expert, our diverse inventory ensures you have the perfect feathers for every fly tying project.