I’ve been asked to do an instructional on feather inlays by a few folks.  I’ve done about 5 feather inlays and they all came out pretty good.  I just finished the 590-4 ZXL for the Poker Night and the feather inlay is usually my last step.  This is so easy and you can get very creative with different feather designs.  I use Flex Coat Color Preservative:
 
 
 
The first step is to lay out your feather(s) for sizing and placement.  I’ve been using Jungle Cock feathers because of its size and unique appearance.  
 
Step 2.  Coat the rod with Flex Coat CP:
 

 
Try and cover the area of the rod with just enough CP.  The CP will appear milky white, but will become clear after drying.
 
Step 3.  Lay the feather down and coat the feather with CP:
 

 
You can make slight adjustment to the feather and barbs with your brush.  I wipe away any excess CP at this point.  
 
Step 4.  Let dry:
 

 
 
Step 5.  Cover with finish.  That’s it.
 
My only other suggestion is to inlay the feather first, dry and cover with finish.  Then place a thread wrap over the bottom quill of the feather.  I’ll do that with the next build for the Poker Night, a .Z-Axis.
 
Thanks,
Chiaki  

Hi Midger,
 
You can make it as easy or complex as you want by using a single feather or multiples.  Wiredog used two feathers, one on top of the other.  I've used a total of three with the Jungle Cock nail and Select Wood Duck Barred:
 

 
 

 
Here’s the rod with the Jungle Cock in the center and it’s bordered by the above wood Duck on each side:  
 
 
 
Again, Terry Henson produces the most amazing feather inlays:
 
http://www.fishingphotos.net/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=2797&cat=500& ppuser=208
 
Mike, I'm sure you must have a "few" feathers laying around to start your creative ideas.  
 
Thanks,
Chiaki

I've got bags of duck feathers from teal, mallards, spoonies, etc. from this past season, so I've got some choices.  I've got some bright blue feathers from the drake spoonies that look cool.  Now, when you apply the finishing, do you just brush over the feather or do you put the rod on the turner/dryer and put finish all around that section of the rod?  I undertand the wrapping of the tip of the feather, so I suppose you would apply finish all around the rod section.  Thanks for the instructional post.

Chiaki
Those are some great pic's on those rods.  Picked up a feather today from a jungle hen that I'm thinking of putting the nail on top of it and having a golden pheasant tippet as a back ground.  Do you think that would have "too much" of a build up?  Also I was wondering if the golden tippet may fade with time in the sun?  Any experience with that?
Swanee