Hello,

Could you share your tips about how to cure stiff/brittle hackle stem and prevent chicken feathers from drying out?

I purchased Whiting Grizzly and Brown Capes (Silver Grade) and Whiting Grizzly Saddle 100 Packs in Spring 2003, and have stored them in their orginal packages.

My grizzly cape and saddle do not cause any problem.

However, when I tie Hackle Stacker (or Paraloop) patterns and wrap brown hackles around monofilament post parachute-style, the hackle stem from brown cape tends to break or crack.

Could you give your tips to solve this problem of stiff/brittle hackle stem?

In addition, how do you store/maintain your capes such that hackle stem remains pliable and chicken feathers do not dry out?

I appreciate your comments.