O’Brien Outdoors: Fishermen; Let’s Talk Turkey

Wild turkey feathers have a wide range of application for fly tying. Different feathers can be used for wings, tails, wingcases, abdomens, and legs on a number of flies. Turkey feathers are applicable to a variety of fly tying techniques and have spawned countless productive fly patterns. These cleverly crafted patterns become popular “go-to” flies for many fishermen. 

The spring gobbler season is fast approaching. If you know any avid turkey hunters, request the feathers from any bird harvested. Even if you don’t tie flies take any and all feathers available. Get them to the right fly tier, do a little bartering, and you might add a new stock of flies to the ole’ fly box.

Marabou is a general descriptive term for fluffy feathers. Originally marabou came from a stork, a giant wading bird native to Africa. Today’s marabou comes mostly from domestically raised turkeys (some from chickens- called short blood feathers) and is referred to as “turkey marabou.” On wild turkeys the marabou feathers are mostly dark gray to black and often with an iridescent sheen. They can be used for Woolly Bugger tails, or wings on streamers such as Marabou Muddlers. The flowing fibers seem to dance in the current emulating life and enticing fish to strike.

Segments of turkey tail feathers serve as wingcases, shellbacks, and even abdomens on fly patterns. Examples include G.R. Hare’s Ear Nymph (wingcase), stonefly nymphs (wingcases), hopper fly wings, Hexagenia Nymph (shellback) and Atlantic salmon flies. A very productive Turkey Tail Nymph can be fashioned in the style of the popular Pheasant Tail Nymph. This fly seems to work very well in size 14, 16, and 18, with and without a bead head. It is a good representation of both the blue-winged olive, or for the immature stage of any dark colored mayfly.

Turkey tail segments are also used for wings on Spey- and Dee-style steelhead flies. Classic Dee flies feature a V-shaped wing. These flies originated in Scotland where rivers of the same name can be found but have become popular among steelhead fishermen in the U.S.

The secondary feathers of the turkey’s wings are a mottled brown, sometimes called oak or speckled turkey. Although limited on a wild bird, there are enough present for use. Segments of these feathers are used for the G.R. Hare’s Ear Nymph (wingcase), Muddler Minnow (wing and tail), March Brown wet fly (wing), Governor wet fly (wing), stone fly nymphs (wingcase), Alder wet fly (wing), Montreal (wing), grasshopper patterns (wings), caddis flies (tent-wing patterns). Segments are also used in combination with other materials for wings on a number of Atlantic salmon featherwing flies. A historical Michigan fly I brought home to Pennsylvania in 1970 is the Borcher. This very effective dry fly has a body of wrapped turkey wing segment.

Turkey biots are the spear-like barbs found on the leading edge of the turkey’s wing feathers, the same feathers traditional bowhunters use for fletchings on arrows. Biots, which should be peeled from the stem, not cut, are used for tails on flies and can be substituted for goose biots on popular patterns like the Copper John and Prince Nymph. Because of their length, they also make excellent quill bodies on flies, and if wrapped properly form a very distinct segmentation. Pre-soaking the biots before use is advised. The wild turkey’s muted gray is a great match for blue quill, slate drake, and quill gordan mayflies. In dyed colors it is possible to match closely any natural body color encountered. These biots are also excellent for spinner patterns or any time a slim-bodied fly is desired.

The turkey’s body feathers are often referred to as ‘flats.’ Although limited in color on a wild bird, these broad, square-tipped feathers are very durable and can be utilized to make wonderful wings on dry flies. They work well where a darker wing is called for and create a nice wing silhouette for flush-floating patterns like thorax or parachute style flies.