"Breeder of fine dry fly hackle birds and exotics"
It's all about the birds. The co-owner of Conranch
Hackle, Dennis Conrad, started raising birds about
45 years ago. It all started with working toward a
merit badge in Scouts. (The other owner is Dennis's
daughter, Liz.)
Having started as a fly fisherman and tying his own
flies at about 10 years of age, he naturally drifted
toward the birds used for flies. An old friend had
this flock of dry fly birds. He had tried to purchase
some from time to time when he had a little money.
But the friend would not sell Dennis even one live
rooster. He did not understand why at the time. When
he passed away Dennis obtained the entire
flock. The age of that breeding flock is over 40 years
old. There has never been any new blood introduced
in all that time. There are enough families that
one can, by careful breeding and selection keep the
colors, perfect them and keep the dry fly quality.
Careful breeding and selection is what makes
Conranch Hackle special. How good? Read the
Product Review
from Global Fly Fishers.
How are the necks graded? Everyone has his or
her own secret method. Dennis's are no secret.
The number of the different sizes of feathers
in a cape, overall size of the cape, (how many
flies can be tied per cape) overall appearance
and color. After handling and tying for over 50
years, Dennis asks himself, "would you pay the grade price
for the grade you just determined?" He has used
enough in his lifetime and like everyone else watches
his money pretty close.
They also have the policy that if a customer is not
satisfied for any reason, just return them and you
will be refunded with no questions asked. (It's happened
twice in five years, ask Dennis to tell you the story.)
One more thing, Dennis does not sell to fly shops.
You buy directly from him. No middleman. No hype,
no big advertising campaign. Just great hackle at fair
prices.
To quote Dennis, "I am doing what I enjoy in life and if I had the
choice to go anyplace in the world and do anything
I wanted, my choice would be to stay here and do
what I am doing."
Have a question? Need a specific color or hackle? Not sure
just what you need? Call Dennis, (509) 999-7472!
He actually LIKES to talk with his customers!
Give Denny a call, he'll raise one for you!
It's all about the birds! Visit their
website and check it
out for yourself.
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