Hackle availability

[pittendrigh]

Ray,

Have the exact same problem. Will probably focus on patterns that do not require hackle in my classes until the supply returns to normal levels. So out with the Parachute Adams and Elk Hair Caddis, in with the Comparadun and X-Caddis. Geez, I hope this trend dies soon...

Maybe John Betts will finally have his day. He gave us hackle-less Blue Winged Olives almost two decades ago. But I don't see them in the fly shops. Not yet anyway. Perhaps his time has finally come. (John's duns use an under-thorax crossbar of Zelon to keep the fly afloat)

[Tig]

Swisher and Richards, in their book "Selective Trout" were advocating no hackle duns and paraduns 40 years ago. Wow. Seems like I bought that book last year.

[Denny]

There are always options. I just checked my inventory and find 10 JV roosters. These are 26 week old dry fly roosters. They are all brown & or Furnace. Both cape and saddle for $40 + S/H. The capes are minus grade# 2 and the saddles are minus grade #3. The saddle hackles are long enough to tie 2 or 3 flies, each. Yes, being young stock they may have a few damaged hackles and are not perfect, but for $40? each.
The other option is fishing wet flies & Nymphs. I do have in stock a limited number of JV hens and they are priced @ $25 + S.H each. As much as I prefer dry fly fishing I find I have been sub surface fishing more lately. Have limited colors at this time. Plans are to start processing JV hens on July 30, then each Saturday for 7 more weeks. No pre orders accepted. First come first served after they are on the boards, drying, ready to ship. I know I am all out of Browns in the JV hens. I have blacks (natural) which is one of the best in my thinkin. JV hens are true genetic hens, sisters of the dry fly roosters. Have the same user friendly stems. Over the past 8 years they have been accepted as the best hackle for wets.
If interested in any of the above, e-mail me.

Denny

denny@conranch.com

[ronnie_mckee]

Thanks for posting the info Denny, I sent you an e-mail.

[butternut-tyer]

Thanks Denny.... for "standing on the line you have drawn". Now if we can only get the rest of the world to do the right thing, there may still be hope.

[branhap]

Going to play a bit of devil's advocate.

I'm not upset at the fly shops, sporting goods stores, or hackle suppliers that sell their goods to hair salons. Given the hard economic times, anything that gives them more money to keep their business alive, and give us products down the road, I'm all for.

At the same time, I'm not upset at the likes of Denny who choose to only sell to fly tyers. That's his business choice, and his right. Such is the way of capitalism.

Look back less over the years and I see threads complaining about a shop closing down due to lack of business... I'm guessing they would have loved to have this little influx into their business if it helped pay the rent so that their business stuck around.

Thanks for reading,
Paul

[AlanB]

Well said Paul, if this "fad" continues then production will probably go up to accommodate demand. Then the price might fall. It could be a good thing a couple of years down the road. I've always advocated buying from your local tackle shop because no matter how much you buy from craft suppliers they will never stock the specialist items like hooks. Loose your tackle shop you loose your supplier for things like these.

Well done Denny, for sticking with your regular customers. When finances permit I may be looking for some grizzle and / or white hen for dying.

Cheers,
Alan.

[Steven]

Well said Paul, if this "fad" continues then production will probably go up to accommodate demand. Then the price might fall. It could be a good thing a couple of years down the road.

Even after the cigar boom is long gone, the price of a cigar remains much higher than pre-boom. I suspect that that is what will happen here.

[Steven]

Using a step-over wing, over CDC or deer hair tied in cross-wise, may be a temporary answer.

Was it Rick Takashi that tied in deer hair for the legs?

Edit to add: It was Ken Iwamasa.

[Bluegill222]

A note of perspective here not meant to take away from any of the very valid points made above: Flytyers are not the only users of these feathers and never have been. Many of the larger producers have always provided feathers for the craft and fashion industries. What we are seeing now is just a case of demand in another market overrunning the supply in that market, and finding an alternate source in ours. Any of us who have ever tied with materials they bought at the craft store or Wal-mart because they were cheaper than, or unavailable at, your local fly shop should understand the phenomenon.

Denny-- much respect to you for sticking to your business plan, sir.