Ruffed Grouse

With the coming of spring, the sound of drumming can be heard in the north woods. Females nest in the leaves on the forest floor, and while incubating, go completely scentless. There are two color phases, red and grey, red being more common in hot and humid regions. Sexes are similar, males having a solid tail band and females having a single white dot on the rump feathers.

Bonasa umbellus - grey phase

Tying with Ruffed Grouse

Easily the most popular species of grouse in fly tying. For years it has been the staple for soft hackle tiers.

Every color combination imaginable has probably been tried in the grouse and category where the body color changes the fly. With an overall brown and ginger coloration a wide range of applications entice the trout and small mouth bass tier to try new patterns.

The body and wing feathers are of a very soft quality making them ideal for just about any use. Sections from the tails make great wet flies too.

full skins
fly patterns
links to other exotics

Red Phase Male

This is a mostly red phase male. With the exception of the head which had been damaged by an owl attack, this bird is in good feather.

The ruff and tail band are red, however their is a grey cast to the tail.

The tail feathers are perfect, no wear at all on any edges.

Click the image for a larger view.


$55


ruff	shoulder	tail

Grey Phase Male

This is a nice grey phase male, the bird is in full feather and has a nice full charcoal black ruff. The tail band is jet black, while the feathers have a red cast.

Click the image for a larger view.