In my experience, salmon-fly dressers are a fastidious bunch who pay great attention to their materials. They know that the quality of the final product depends upon using materials in their best possible condition. It is not unusual to get feathers that are in less than perfect shape, to say the least, and measures must be taken to bring them back to life.

I wash new materials before either storage or use, and they all have their particular needs. I recently washed a jungle-cock neck and made a discovery I would like to share.

I start with a solution of two tablespoons Woolite to two quarts of water. After having thoroughly soaked the neck in tap water, put it into the Woolite solution upside down. Soak for one to two hours and then gently move the neck back and forth, opening and closing the nails, thus letting the action of the feathers work the debris away from the skin. Sometimes a second or third wash is necessary to obtain a clear rinse. Then soak the neck in warm tap water for twelve hours. If you wash your materials in white bowls or pans, the residue will be easy to see.

After the neck is thoroughly clean, tack it to foamcore or any other like surface. Be patient. You will be surprised at the beautiful results.