Wet fly hackle

Just wondering what you guys use ?

I have been using hungarian partridge , but I am looking for other options.

Something in earth colors, and supple enought so it moves.

I would really like to hear what you guys are using.

Take care,
chris

chris...hen hackle would work as well...check out DonaldN's site he's got a lot of good info on soft hackles

my partridge skins are well picked over and it's time to buy a couple more. find myself using hen hackle more and more. it's available in a wide assortment of colors.

Can you get down to size 18s from a hen hackle? I've used some soft hackle BWOs, Sulfurs, etc. suspended from the bend of dry fly hooks and have done pretty well during hatches. Also, I've done it using an Elk Hair Caddis dry. I am new to this site. How do I get to Donald Ns. site?:)

I have tied them with both hungarian partridge and the feathers from the rump patch of ruffed grouse. Grouse dependant on colour phase (red/grey)are darker than most of my partridge. When I field dress a bird I always look at the feathers to see if they will work for some kind of fly. Then I skin and dry the patches.

http://www.kureoutdoors.com

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Originally Posted by lastchance

Can you get down to size 18s from a hen hackle? I've used some soft hackle BWOs, Sulfurs, etc. suspended from the bend of dry fly hooks and have done pretty well during hatches. Also, I've done it using an Elk Hair Caddis dry. I am new to this site. How do I get to Donald Ns. site?:)

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Here...

http://www.dtnicolson.dial.pipex.com/

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Originally Posted by lastchance

Can you get down to size 18s from a hen hackle?

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Get a starling skin. Lots of small feathers and several good patterns to try. Starling & peacock, starling & purple, starling bloa, WC Stewart's black spider, etc.

I bet if you contacted Denny at Conranch Hackle (a sponsor here) that he would fix you right up. If he cannot provide what you need, he will tell you that up front. He is a very upright honest person to deal with.

Just a suggestion

Great info guys!

Have any of you heard of, or tried ;

- Brahma hen saddles for small wet flies?

Thanks,
chris

Chris...please don't mind my expansion of your question...I think it applies...

Besides what chris asked would anyone care to compare Brahma hen with Denny's immature hen?[JV Hen}

Hi,
For soft hackles I've used, all with success, starling (as previously mentioned; very nice), cockpheasant wing feathers (there are some nice chesnut brown feathers on the "shoulders" and "elbows" which are great), hen pheasant wing feathers, woodcock wing feathers (these are a nice earth tone as well), and hen feathers. I've also used Hungarian Partridge, which are great.

I would think rough grouse would be an excellent source if you, or anyone you know, hunts them.

- Jeff

I used to use Brahma hen feathers for soft hackles. Now I use Denny's JV hen feathers. Wider range of colors available and the feathers have a wider range of sizes.

I also still use Hungarian Partridge when I want a somewhat stiff hackle.

REE

Quote:

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Originally Posted by WarrenP

I bet if you contacted Denny at Conranch Hackle (a sponsor here) that he would fix you right up. If he cannot provide what you need, he will tell you that up front. He is a very upright honest person to deal with.

Just a suggestion

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Denny turned me on to JV hens for soft hackle flies. I really like the action I get from JV hens. Give him a call or send him an email.

There are lots of things you can use for soft hackles these days. I like the red grouse from the UK. Sometimes they are available in North America. Over here we have brown and grey phase ruffed grouse, sharptail grouse (which are a lighter color), spruce, blue and sage grouse which are all darker. All the grouse have interesting feathers for soft hackles. The hens of Amhearst, Golden and Tragophan pheasants have interesting varigated soft hackle feathers. The quails have some interesting feathers that tend to be a bit smaller. There are bobwhite, scaled, mearns, california and maybe a couple of other kinds of quail. You know about the Hungarian Partridge but there are also Bamboo Partridge and Francolin Partridge. In the old days, people used woodcock, snipe, plover, landrail, corncrake and lots of other birds that are probably no longer available today. There are all the hen chickens from various hackle farms that have already been mentioned to you. I really like the Whiting Bramha Hens. They are neat varigated feathers and they dye them in very cool colors. I think they just made their Coq De Leon hens available too. So many flies so little time ...............

WOW!

Thanks for all the great info.

Were would one pick up red, or bamboo partridge?

Take care,
chris

Let's see, all this wild stuff isn't something you can just pick up anywhere. I remember seeing someone selling red grouse skins recently but I just can't remember where. I got mine at a fly tying show from Mike Hogue. He has a web site at eflytyer.com and he has packages of red grouse feathers there for $1.50. Mike is a real good guy and I have been bying tying stuff from him for years. There happen to be a couple of bamboo partridges on ebay now. Go to flyfishing tools and materials and search on partridge. The seller calls them Chineese partridge. Fly fishing shows and sales, various material dealers like Castle Arms or feathersmc or English Angling Trappings, estate sales, friends who hunt, ebay are all places where interesting things pop up at completely unpredictable times. Good luck!