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Keogh vs. Whiting
Just started tying a couple of months ago and having a blast. One thing that has been a little a frustrating is tying in and wrapping hackle. I've got a Keogh Neck Cape and when tying in, wrapping and tying off the hackles they just seem kind of stiff and was wondering if I bought some of the better Whiting neck capes if I would notice a difference. I've about got the basics down and am willing to spend the $ on better materials if the difference in cost is worth it.
On a side note, one of my other frustrations which is no doubt based on "operator error is tying in the biots on a Prince. My Prince Nymphs are actually looking pretty good but I'm having a "bugger" of time getting the biots tied in. I guess I just need smaller fingers??
Thanks for any input!!!
Tom
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Im not going to mention anything about the biots, but I do know good hackle makes the world go around. Keough is some decent stuff, but you should check out our sponsers. Conranch produces some hackle that is hard to beat. Plus his prices are reasonable.
Personally whiting has some good hackle, but it can be costly. I have a few saddles and I really like them. But I find denny's stuff more then perfect for all my tying.
Check him out!
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http://www.conranch.com/
here is the website, you wont be dissapointed.
Phil
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As far as the biots go they can be a bugger. Built a thread "ball" where you want the biots to go. Make two loose wraps then adjust the biots. At this time you can cinch the thread down and continue to tie in the biots. Hope this helps
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I really like the Whiting's 100 packs, esp. when I was just getting started. The long saddle hackle gave my fat fingers more to hold onto. I also liked being able to buy only what size I needed.
The Conranch stuff is nice quality, a good value. I still like and use both Keogh and the Whiting necks. I tend to use the Keogh for drys 16 and larger, the Whiting gold or platinum grades for smaller 18 to 26 sizes. I think there are more small feathers of good quality on the Whiting necks. The platinum grade necks are pricey, but the quality is just amazing.
I like to soak my biots prior to tying. I fold them into a wet paper towel for about 10 minutes. I find this makes them more pliable and easier to work with.
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biots
One of the "break throughs" I made, for myself at least, was to preassemble the biot pairs ahead of time in the "V" arrangement using an adhesive. The glue is your choice.
It is much easier for me to properly center these assemblies on the hook. Give it a try.
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This may not apply to all shopw, but all of my quality hackle has come as a 1/2 nek or cape from my locla "fly guy" who typically buys in bulk, dies to the colour he wants, and then sells what he doesn't use himself. If price is a factor and you know someone who ties commercially, say a fly shop owner, you mgit want to give that a try...costs nothing to ask.
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Appreciate all the input. Think I may just bite the bullet and by 1/2 capes of the better whiting capes in brown and grizzly and I love the idea of pre-assembling some white biots for princes.
Tom
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i have whiting and conranch hackles and my vote has to go to whiting on that one.
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TomRC,
You wrote,
"Just started tying a couple of months ago and having a blast. ... I've about got the basics down and am willing to spend the $ on better materials if the difference in cost is worth it."
Would you care to define 'basics'?
Deezel