Imagine a small ( size #20 standard length ) soft hackle, intended to be
fished when tiny little "black caddis" are on the water.

I'm looking for a feather for that hackle that will have barbules about the
length of the #20 hook shank, maybe a tad more, but not too long, and an
almost black, flecked with greys, color.

All the soft hackle feathers I have ( partridge, grouse, quail ) are either
too big, or more brown and lighter than what I want.

Anybody think of a bird ( available legally and easily ) that might have a
feather like I seek?


On a similar note, got a good technique to use "too big" SH feathers on
small hooks? The number of feathers that will hackle small hooks is pretty
limited on most partridge skins.