Hackles??????

[Nate Dutton]

Hey guys looking for a new neck and don't know what to get....I have been trying tons of nymphs and not am moving to dries and need a good hackle....What kind of hackle should i get??? I am looking for a brown one I already have a grizzly but just looking for me suggestions. Thanks!

[FT]

Are you going to be tying only one or two sizes, or are you going to be tying from say #12 down to #22's? If only one or two sizes, genetic saddle hackle of the proper size is the best way to go. But if tying a large number of sizes, the best value is #3 genetic hackle capes (necks).

[Charlie S]

If you are tying a limited size range then a saddle, as suggested above is your best bet. As far as quality, you cannot do better than a Hoffman. Get a #2 or 3. They are not graded by quality, they are ALL high quality. The grading pertains to number of feathers.

[Rory McMahon]

I suggest a whiting saddle, if you've already got a grizzly and are already getting a brown one. I would go with a dun colored one, either blue dun or medium dun.

[Charlie S]

OOPS....showing my age again....I typed Hoffman because that great old guy has been on my mind lately. I meant Whiting for purchase of a neck or saddle. Sorry.

[Dr Bob]

If you are looking for a neck or skin of high quality and good price, I recommend Conranch hackles.:thumb: They are a Washington based company located near Spokane. Denny Conrad gives great service and breeds his own chickens for the hackles. He has a web site (www.conranch.com) showing his fine quality necks and skins. I have been using them for the past 5 years and they are great!. Check it out and if you talk to Denny, tell him Dr Bob sent you.

Dr Bob:beer1:

[Ned Wright]

I completely agree with Dr Bob. I won a grade 2 Conranch hackle in REE fly tying contest. Denny was a pleasure to work with. With the grade 2 he will sell you two half necks for the price of one full neck. The feathers are amazing. I am yet to have one break, have tied down to 26, and literally every time the feathers lay down perfect. 3-4 wraps for a perfect hackle. Another cool part is that he leaves the collar on the neck and those feathers make great soft hackles.

Denny only sells to tiers, not stores, so you will not find them anywhere but on his web site, but buy with confidence. I got one cream half neck and one brown and I now tie almost exclusively patters with these colors, because tying with the other feathers is disappointing.

My 2 Cents,
Ned

[yuhina]

Very useful information! Thanks!