neck and saddle

[10ae1203]

I have a question that I'm having trouble finding the answer to: What is the differnece between neck and saddle hackle?

Thanks.

[rainbowchaser]

The short answer is that a neck will have a much greater range of hackle sizes ( 6 to 24 is common). Saddles usually only tie in two or three sizes but have longer feathers and can tie multiple flies from one feather. If you are new to tying check out the tying lessons available from the FAOL main page. Al Campbell covered most of the basics about materials there

[J Castwell]

The neck has the eye holes,,, really. The saddle is farther down, about where you would put one. The neck has several size feathers. The saddle has fewer sizes but really long skinny feathers all the same width along the feather. Often the saddles can look very impressive,,, long, jiggly wiggly feathers.

[ducksterman]

The neck has the eye holes,,, really. The saddle is farther down, about where you would put one. The neck has several size feathers. The saddle has fewer sizes but really long skinny feathers all the same width along the feather. Often the saddles can look very impressive,,, long, jiggly wiggly feathers.

Beautiful.

[hackleman57]

Great question that we get asked all the time. As some folks have mentioned, capes are actually at the back of the neck of the chicken, and the saddles are down the back on the sides. But how does that relate to fly tying? It's true that the capes offer a great range of feathers -- large and small --- BUT, most people tie dry flies in a fairly narrow range, say, sizes 12-16. If this is the case, a saddle may be a much better value for you. And if you're new to tying, and we get questions from tons of newbies, saddles are easier to work with.

Hope that helps!

Ron

[10ae1203]

So the capes are necks?

Thanks for the info. I'm not new at this, but I have gaps in my knowledge. This place looks like it'll be good for filling them in.

[hackleman57]

But it's the "back of the neck" if you're facing the front of the chicken. Also called a cape because it's on the bird as if it were wearing a cape like, say, Batman!

[crazy4oldcars]

Sorry folks! I HAD to!!

Kirk

[hap]

But Kirk, that cape is a saddle!

[Kaboom1]

But Kirk, that cape is a saddle!

ROTFLMAO

Brad