Whiting Brahma Hen Cape

All about flies Fly Tying
1

Has anyone used and have an opinion on the Whiting Brahma hen capes? I’m thinking of trying them for wet flies.

2

Got one to tie up some Tabou Caddis http://globalflyfisher.com/patterns/taboucaddis/

Haven’t had a chance to use it yet but I like the markings on it.

Regards,
Scott

3

Bearsden.com has a half-dozen or so colors of the Whiting Brahma Hen capes. $12 each + shipping.

4

I was going to suggest Bearsden, too, but I think restrictions make importing any tying materials into Australia a difficult process.

Regards,
Scott

5

Hi all,

How small is the fly size that the Brahama hen will tie down too?

Thanks and regards,

Gandolf

6

Doesn’t Jim Slattery post here?

Check out Jimsflyco.com. If it’s Whiting, he knows about it.

7

Good question! There are ways to tie soft hackles that allow you to use even large feathers for small flies. I’ve seen a link on FAOL that explains at least one way to go about doing that…maybe someone can post a link or give a better description on the method than I could? I was thinking it was like wrapping the feather around the hook, putting a soft loop or two of thread over it, and the pulling the feather forward over the eye of the hook until you get the fiber length you desire.

8

Wally does it like this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-dfsN0ZPkc&list=UU7_wj0pKTdblPKIP4lTf4Vw&index=11&feature=plcp

Craig Mathews does it like this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7DCYT7NR-m4

More than one way to skin a grouse/partridge

Regards,
Scott

9

YES! Thanks Scott, those are both excellent tutorials!

10

Brahma hen comes several different ways. One is just the saddle, which includes the beautifully mottled soft hackle feathers. Another has the neck with some mottled feathers along the sides. The neck part is more like a regular badger or furnace hen neck. You can also get the saddle with chickabou.

11

Thanks Scott , we can learn something new everyday. Jay , the look of the mottled soft hackle is what drew my attention to the Brahma hen feathers , very nice. Its like getting two types of feathers for one.

12

Hi Steven,

Right below his name, it displays in bold font, BANNED from BB. Unless that’s some type of joke, that’s why he doesn’t post.

Regards,
Mark

13

Here are some flies I dressed recently with Brahma hen and cock.


Hook: #12 Wet Fly.
Silk: Orange.
Body: Orange silk.
Thorax: Brown Camel.
Hackle: M. Brown Brahma hen.


Black Fluo Yellow Bugger.
Hook: #8 l/s s/e Lure hook.
Tail: Black marabou.
Rib: Silver oval tinsel.
Body: Lead wire underbody, Black chenille.
Hackle: Fluo yellow Brahma cock.

This Brahma cock is a badger with fluo yellow tips.


March Brown Variant.

Hook: #12 Veniard VH115 curved nymph hook.
Silk: YLI Pale Copper silk.
Tail: Three Pheasant cock fibres.
Rib: Wire
Body: Pale Copper silk
Thorax: Brown Arg. Hare
Hackle: Fiery Brown Brahma cock.


Hot Orange Nymph.

Hook: Veniard VH111 light nymph hook #12.
Silk: Pearsall fluo orange.
Tail: Three Pheasant tail.
Rib: Bright yellow wire.
Body: Rust Arg. hare.
Thorax: Rust Arg. Hare.
Hackle: Fiery brown Brahma cock. Badger fiery brown tips.


A Rusty Steelhead fly.

Hook: #14 Klinkhamer Partridge.
Thread: YLI silk Lt Copper.
Rib: Silver tinsel.
Body: Rust Arg hare dubbing.
Thorax: Brown Arg hare dubbing.
Hackle: MBrown Brahma hen.


Blue Lou

Hook: #10 Klinkhamer Patridge.
Silk: YLI Electric Blue silk.
Body: Silver Holo flat tinsel.
Rib: Silver oval tinsel.
Thorax: Blue dubbing.
Hackle: Brahma cock silver/blue.

14

Great flies Donald. As far as Brahma hen, I have 3-4. I love them. They are beautiful, and very useful. I bought them for soft hackle flies.