Description Sourced from Flytying Ed Madrigal of Livingstone, Scotland comes these superb COQ DE LEON PLUMES. These are genuine COQ DE LEON plumes from a private farm in the Curueño valley of Spain. Some breeders from the villages of the river Curueño valley say that when roosters are taken away from the area, the feather quality diminishes and that they think it is due to a mysterious element of the soil that the roosters get when they are fed. It has been attributed to the uranium seam that is located in the soil, and some say that radiation could be responsible for the brightness of the feathers! Harvesting the feathers resembles “catch and release”. It is not necessary to kill the bird, as is required to obtain the hackles for tying dry flies. The feathers are removed from the rooster roughly every four months, depending on the health of the birds, avoiding causing it any stress, as this is another important factor in the acquiring of high-quality feathers for the next occasion. The plumes are taken from the back of the bird – long, steely barbs with amazing random speckles. Ideal for tails and bunched for wings. The feathers are gradually plucked from the bird’s back and then arranged by colour and size in groups of 12. These are then tied together at their base – and known as “decks”. COLOUR / MARKINGS Pardo Corzuno – fine/small speckles. Pardo Corzuno Oscuro – fine/small speckles, “Oscuro” = Dark). Langareto – stronger/thicker speckles. Indio Flor De Escoba – light hazelnut brown , no speckles Indio Rubion – almost “red game” in colour – no speckles. WHY PREMIUM GRADE? These offer you the longest, strongest barbs and it is only with the top grade of feathers will you find the mottling appearing on the “back” of the feather as well as the front. (Beware of the so called “Coq De Leon capes” available from various American genetic farms – although the feathers are attractive, they do not have the sheen and strength of genuine Coq De Leon)
