Hello BigFlatBrook,

I have tied size 32 soft hackles on Tiemco hooks (no Hans, not Mustad 32 yet) with the JV hen hackle. You can see one perched on the hook "barb" of my Raptor, an FOTW.

Overall, you can comfortably tye in the 20s with Conranch JV hens. Yes, the cree hen is a real little beauty.

I use JV hens exclusively for my soft hackles; I just like the life-like undulating effect of the hackle underwater compared to upland gamebird feathers. Just a personal preference.

Cheers,
Richard
Plano TX