Large Dot Guinea Hackle

The African guineafowl is a species of bird similar to the partridge family. The species has a long and storied history of domestication and use in costumes, arts and crafts, and, of course, fly tying, due to its distinctive and beautiful speckled coloration. The feathers of this bird are webby and of medium length, rendering them useful for a range of fly tying applications. Use these spotted, strung guinea feathers as legs in your favorite nymph and subsurface fly patterns or as collars in your wet flies. This feather is also a required material in tying many classic Atlantic salmon fly patterns and is gaining popularity among saltwater fly tyers who cobble together large streamers that require the movement and articulation these feathers provide. Steelhead fly tyers also love these uniquely spotted feathers as collars on large marabou flies and other steelhead-specific fly creations. In a pinch, or if you don’t want to spend a ton of cash, you’ll also find that guinea feathers will substitute quite well for jungle cock nail feathers in patterns calling for natural cheeks and eyes.