AHH! rollie and helens, from my neck of the woods! great store.

a few comments on the funky chicken lure...

it is a great design, the tie on location being a loop (rather than just a bend) is a GREAT positive and shows shumways expertise in musky fishing and attention to detail. the loop makes it really easy to use on a snap swivel so it doesnt foul. same goes for northland brand bass sized spinnerbaits.

the safety pin style spinnerbaits, in my opinion, are superior to inline mepps style spinner baits. they are virtually weedless and ride over rocks/logs whereas inline spinners with treble hooks would snag. i also prefer the single hook to the treble hook on the main frame. the wire also helps prevent bite offs.

the trailer hook, on these lures comes mounted pointing up. in weedy/timber filled areas leave it that way. if you are in the canadian shield or a river system where you are fishing rock structures or current breaks (meaning less clutter to get hooked on), i flip the hook over, so the stinger points downward, it helps the hookup rate.

and lastly, the biggest asset to the funky chicken is also its biggest weakness.

da feathers! dun.. dun.. dun..

thus, lets begin the debate!!
marabou vs. silicone vs. flashabou (new thread)

they all have strengths and weaknesses and i believe the application from a canoe/camping trip magnifies them significantly.

for canoe fishing on camping trips i feel that silicone/flashabou is better than marabou.

for a trip to canada when fishing from a canoe i would recommend a northland reed runner magnum(silicone) or the northland bootie call (flashabou) spinner baits.

anyone who fishes with marabou will attest that it gives a great lifelike action, but its a pain when it comes to drying. you have to leave bucktails out to dry or they will rust/mold. this is not easily done in canoe country.