The Classic Atlantic Salmon fly is the ultimate challenge and art form for the fly tyer. I, for one, am new to this art. I have found that the biggest challenge is locating suitable materials with which to tie, including substitutes for the more exotic feathers. Although there are lots of suppliers, finding one who understands the materials (including substitutes) is not particularly easy.

A majority of my buying is done by mail order because the availability of materials in my area is not good, thus I don't have the chance to browse through stacks and stacks of feathers or skins before selecting.

Perhaps the members of "The Salmon Flyer" could respond to the following questions for me - a new subscriber and tyer:

1. The Golden Pheasant center tail feathers are used extensively in salmon fly patterns. Some of these feathers are totally useless to tie with because of age or poor handling. I've had the feathers "explode" after tying them in or have not been able to get individual fibers to marry at all. Washing does help immensely, but my question is: What are the qualities one should look for BEFORE buying Golden Pheasant tail feathers? Using two of our senses, sight and touch, how do we know what is a poor set, a good set, a GREAT set?

2. The right color is important in hackles but what about quality? What do expert tyers look for when buying them? The article in recent Flyer ("Love Them Ribbies" - Jan. 1993) by Bill Chinn states that "Mr. Hackle" is important, but gives no details on just what constitutes a good hackle. Could this be addressed?

3. The dyed white neck feathers from a ring-necked pheasant in no way compare with the texture or shape of real Toucan or Indian Crow. The solid colors and lack of transparency of the pheasant Feathers just don't seem to do justice to the finished fly. What other natural substitutes can closely resemble both, with out dying? If these subs are not available, are there books or articles that show how to achieve credible look-alikes?

4. There are feather dyers who supply a limited number of well-known tyers with substitutes but do not dye feathers in quantity commercially. Are small amounts of their feathers available to other tyers? If not, is it possible to find information on the techniques these dyers use? How are feathers prepared for dyeing? What types of feathers work best as substitutes for Toucan and Indian Crow?

5. A list of suppliers (commercial or individual) who understand the quality of materials requisite for tying classic Salmon flies would be extremely helpful. Any suggestions?

6. Have the members of The Salmon Flyer thought of including a buy, sell and trade column?

Although I could pose many more questions, I will save them for later issues of the Flyer. A response to the above questions from other subscribers would be helpful and interesting.