Partridge hackle

[djamieson]

I'd like to get into tying standard wet flies with partridge hackle. My question: Will those $2.50 bags of partridge sold by Cabela's and other online outfits get the job done? I only ask because the guy at my local fly shop (naturally) recommended I buy a $30 partridge skin, but I've already sunk enough loot into tying materials that I'd like to avoid that if possible, especially with my first batch of wets.

Thanks,

Dave

[TxEngr]

There are feathers in the bag that will work. The trick in starting out is knowing which ones are good and which to throw away. Like you, I got one of those bags of feathers and, with the help of other tyers, learned which feathers could be used. I now use whole skins that I buy either from ebay or from my fly shop. Sometimes you can get a half skin that is affordable and will be a lot of feathers. The other advantage to a skin is that you can size the feather to the hook more easily without dragging a hunderd feathers out of a little plastic bag to find the right one, then trying to get them all back in undamaged. See if you can't get at least a half skin - you'll be happier in the long run.

TxEngr

[This message has been edited by TxEngr (edited 03 May 2006).]

[pspaint]

For your first batch I would say they would be alright. I use those fairly regularly and you can usually get some descent hackles out of them. The biggest probelm i've found with them is there usually aren't enough descent, smaller hackles.

[TyroneFly]

djamieson,

If you are looking to tie soft hackle flies, consider Conranch Hackle. Their JV hens are first rate and are excellent hackle for soft hackle flies. I think they are about $20 each. Here is a link to their website: [url=http://www.conranch.com/jvhens.html:660aa]www.conranch.com/jvhens.html[/url:660aa]

[Turk]

The bags will work ok but in the long run the skin is a much better bargain. Many more usable feathers in more sizes. It's one material I would not be without. So my suggestion is to buy the skin.
Turk

Dave,

Generally, I'd say don't buy the bags of feathers. However, it depends on the size of the flies you're going to tie. If you're just starting and will be tying size 10 - 12, you'll probably be able to use what's in the bag. Anything smaller and I'd say you're better off with a skin. Or, as others have suggested, get an inexpensive hen neck. Obviously it's to your advantage to be able to examine a neck before buying it. Regardless, a neck will have a wider range of sizes and better quality than the packages of feathers.

Allan

[whatfly]

While $30 sounds a bit high for a partridge skin (most I've seen are $19-24, even cheaper from places like [url=http://www.hideandfur.com/:a9ac6]http://www.hideandfur.com/[/url:a9ac6] ), this is one skin that you will use over and over again.

Nothing is more tedious than trying to sort through those bags of loose hackle trying to find one that will fit.

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-whatfly

[Ray Kunz]

About $24 is about right price. Packaged loose feathers are a waste. For a fair alternative try a "Mottled Hen Back" as sold by H&H or Flyfisher's Paradise for about $4. The feathers are quite large however.

[Donald Nicolson]

You might find Whitings Farms Brahma Hen Saddles and Necks a useful alternative.
I get mine from a dealer over here in the UK and they (saddles) cost 8.50 British Pounds, that is about $14.84 at todays tourist rate.
Here is the site of my supplier, it will give you some idea of the colours available:- [url=http://www.lakelandflytying.com/acatalog/copy_of_Whiting_Brahma_Saddle.html:5c1e4]http://www.lakelandflytying.com/acatalog/copy_of_Whiting_Brahma_Saddle.html[/url:5c1e4]

And here are some of the flies I tied:- [url=http://www.dtnicolson.dial.pipex.com/page10.html:5c1e4]http://www.dtnicolson.dial.pipex.com/page10.html[/url:5c1e4]
[url=http://www.dtnicolson.dial.pipex.com/page53.html:5c1e4]http://www.dtnicolson.dial.pipex.com/page53.html[/url:5c1e4]




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Donald/Scotland


[This message has been edited by Donald Nicolson (edited 04 May 2006).]

[This message has been edited by Donald Nicolson (edited 04 May 2006).]

[Peter F]

Buy a little bag until you are sure that it does not meet your needs. Even a couple dozen soft hackle flies from one bag would be enough for me to get through a couple of seasons, because of all the other flies I like to fish with too.

That being said, I have bought full skins of birds over the years and split them and the cost with other flytiers. Perhaps if you have developed a list of tiers you communicate with by email you will find someone who will share the cost.

Peter F.

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Peter F
www.fishingwithflies.com
pfrailey@hotmail.com