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I have been on a search for some affordable hackle for tying dry flys in the 10-16 size range. I found these from Hook and Hackle and they are priced at $15.00 which I think would be a good price point for me to learn on. I am just wondering if anyone here has actually used them and could give their opinion of them.
been there done that
http://www.flyanglersonline.com/bb/s...-premium-capes
those capes are perfect for a beginning tyer.
Those H&H capes are 3rd level quality. Not a bad thing, but if your asking are they good quality dry hackles? Many will probably say "not really". However if you looking to practice, it's hard to justify spending 3 or 4 time as much for high quality hackle.
J Stockard has a wide range of hackle available in all quality levels and prices ranged.
Whiting 100-packs at Cabela's (and other retailers as well). enough feathers to tie 100 flies in the same same size. The good thing here is, if you are ONLY looking for a given range, you wont still have a 90% unused cape in 10 years.This marketing idea, is only buy what you need perhaps?
http://cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templa...=cat20542&rid=
Mini packs at Bass Pro for $5.99, 5 different colors each containing sizes 12 to 14. Buy all 5 for what 2 of those H&H capes cost.
http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/st...004000_175-4-8
Mad River Outfitters http://www.madriveroutfitters.com/ is my local shop but is also a full web store.
When buying full hackles and not hackle packs, the best rule of thumb is to buy the best hackle that you can afford. Because a neck will last you quite some time and is an investment in materials.
That being said, those hackles are fine to learn on and fish with. When beginning to tie I began with indian necks. While they are said to be nearly unusable these days in comparison to genetic hackle......I do remember quite a few fish that ate them when they were all that was in my flybox:^)
To be honest, for the way I fish, I prefer a #2 or #3 neck. I like to fish a fairly generic pattern, sometimes dry, sometimes damp, often on the same cast. The really top quality hackles are actually sometimes too stiff for the way I like to tie and fish my flies.
Like TroutBum said, even a poor genetic hackle is a joy compared to the indian necks with which I learned. BUt they did somehow manage to catch fish back in the day.