Soft hackle question

[ggh]

I have started tying soft hackle flies, and other than partridge for the hackles, Dave Hughes' book recommends looking at hen necks. I did, and the price--if they are available at all--is a glass of ice water in the face. How about India Hen saddles? I have a pack, and they look about right. They also come in various dyed colors. What do you think?
Thanks for sharing your opinions,
GGH

[James Smith]

Actually, I find India Hens necks to be the best for soft hackles even over partridge, mainly because the stem is thinner and easier to wrap around the hook. You can get some terrific colors that me beautiful soft hackles which are one of my favorite flies to tie and to fish.

Jim Smith

[Tig]

Starling - woodcock.

[WarrenP]

I have used starlin, quail, woodcock, hen back, hen neck and partridge. All of them will work fine.

[narcodog]

Try to stay away from pre packaged feathers. Try to buy whole skins. The pre packages have a lot useless feathers.

[redietz]

Dave Hughes' book recommends looking at hen necks. I did, and the price--if they are available at all--is a glass of ice water in the face.GGH

??? Collins hen sets (neck + back) are about $15. That's about half of what a partridge skin is going for in most places now. Compared to dry fly hackle, hen is practically given away.

[AlanB]

If you know anyone who shoots game birds just about any will do. If you offer to skin the birds and oven prep them you'll get the skin for nothing most of the time. By far my favourite is Golden Plover, but that is hard to get and expensive.

Something I don't understand is these flies have been called "spiders" or "North Country Flies" for over 400 years. Why the sudden name change?

Cheers,
C.

[NJTroutbum]

GGH,

Indian Hen necks are excellent for soft hackles, wingcases and nymph legging. They come in great colors are affordable. They should have a solid place in every tyers bench.

Ralph

[Uncle Jesse]

Something I don't understand is these flies have been called "spiders" or "North Country Flies" for over 400 years. Why the sudden name change? Cheers, C.

Some of us are afraid of spiders, truthfully I have seen spider patters and thought they were different than soft hackles. Most seemed to have reverse hackle on them.

[whatfly]

The India hen feathers are typically too large for trout sized flies, and the I've never like the barbule structure of Indian hen (too wide/blunt, granted just a matter of taste). Much prefer genetic hen cape, but you are right those Whiting hen capes are now ridiculously priced (is anyone buying these any more?) and the Clearwater stuff is no better. Spencer Hackle used to be reasonably price, but with Hugh out of the game now, Collins is probably your best shot.

Of course, another way of looking at it is consider the price of a partridge cape versus the price of a good genetic hen cape. I'd argue the hen comes out more economical anyway you look at it.