Since 1978, feathers from domestic U.K. stocks have been commercially supplied for fly tying. These thin, elongated feathers, sometimes called “nails,” are used to add a finishing touch to fly dressing and are popular in classic salmon/steelhead spey style flies.
Finding these capes can be quite the challenge and can be very expensive. Quality is also very hit or miss. Much of the time the nails are split and require delicate repair. This can be done by using clear nail polish in between the splits in the feathers and allowing the nail polish to dry.
The gray junglefowl, also known as Sonnerat’s junglefowl (Gallus sonneratii), is a wild ancestor of domestic chickens. Local names include Komri, Geera kur, Parda komri, Jangli Murghi, Raan kombdi, Kattu Kozhi, and Tella adavi kodi.
The male exhibits a black cape with ochre spots, finely patterned plumage on a grey ground, red wattles, and combs. Legs are red with spurs. Females have duller colors, black and white streaking on the underparts, and yellow legs. The species has been bred domestically in England since 1862.
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