#193 - Picric Partridge

Tied by: Ryan Houston
Originated by: Ryan Houston

Hook: Gaelic Supreme Mike Martinek 8xl #1
Thread: Black
Body: Gold oval tinsel
Belly: Peacock herl then white bucktail
Throat: A bunch of picric dyed hackle fibers
Underwing: Golden pheasant crest bending over the hook bend and bunch of picric dyed hackle fibers
Wing: Picric dyed hackles
Cheek: Picric dyed french partrige
Eye: Jungle cock
Head: Black

Notes: The lovely bronze olive tones of the picric dyed hackles and partridge are perfectly framed by the golden body and pheasant crest used on this streamer. With the addition of the hackle fibers tied in between the wing, these perfectly shaped saddle feathers glide perfectly over the body. Picric dying is a process of submerging feathers or fur into a solution of picric acid. It results in a range of yellow to olive tones, and depends on the base color of the material being dyed. It is not something you see everyday, but it looks stunning and elegant on the long hook.

for more information on picric acid dying, you should read the Global Fly Fisher article on dying with picric acid.