Guineabou Mouse

Tied and Submitted by: Aden Blackburn

Pattern Recipe:
hook: #4-1 mustad 3366
thread: danvilles flat waxed 210 denier
tail: tapered rubber strip
underbody: thick foam
body: 8 or 9 guinea fowl body feathers
head: end of underbody foam pulled over the top and glued, then trimmed.

Pattern History:
I wanted a mouse pattern that floated like a mouse, had undulating fur, and had the right coloration. I noticed that the fluff at the bottom of a guinea fowl feather had the ideal pattern of grey mottling for a mouse pattern. hackling these feathers up the body in layers creates an amazingly realistic mouse fur immitation. this pattern is even more realistic when it is wet in a river.

Comments / Special Instructions:
tie the body by taking guinea feathers, stroking the fibers back, and clipping the main part of the feather off, leaving only a few of the stiff main fibers.(the rest of the feather can be saved for other patterns if wished)
then tie in the feather by that tip where you just cut it. wrap the soft marabou-like stuff on the bottom of the feather around the hook (3 or 4 wraps is usually all you can get) and tie off, clipping the stiff stem. neaten up the tie-off point and continue with the next feather. 8 feathers later, the body is done. Use a dubbing brush to straighten the fibers when you are done. Mono weed guards are optional.