Hi Allan…
I totally agree with your basic point. One should always ‘qualify’ such statements. As someone with 40 years of technical editing under his belt, I can assure that this kind of thing is carefully watched for in a manuscript. In some circles, my reputation with a red pen preceeds me! Some even ‘hear’ it coming!
Cheers,
Frank
Frank
Well I’m not from Australia and I have used Conranch and Keogh (and Metz and Spencer and a few others) and in MY OPINION the Whiting haclkes I’ve used are superior. I haven’t had the pleasure of using any Collins hackles but if I get a chance I’ll give them a try.
Frank,
See thread titled: “BEST”
Allan
How about you start a separate thread on wax? Hate to see the OP get highjacked (I’ve been guilty of that myself).
Regards,
Scott
Scott,
You are right. See new thread.
Allan
“Otherwise, I endorse your comments 100%. Unfortunately, he is not the only one to make such asinine claims on this forum. Others would do well to pay close attention to your post.”
If this is not Flaming I’d like to know what it is? What do you think Denny? Close! dc
Had something to say here about how far this conversation has devolved, but, I don’t want to get banned…
Personally…I don’t think it’s any more of an afront to declare that something or another is “the best”, than it is to call them out in a personal tirade over it. It goes without saying that ANYBODY who posts an “opinion” on a topic is doing just that…posting an “opinion”. They don’t have to “qualify it”…it’s their thoughts on a topic. And if somebody disagrees…just disagree. Post YOUR opinion on the topic. There is no reason to declare anothers opinion as “invalid, uninformed or incorrect”…just post yours.
This is a fly fishing forum…not a scientific forum on the clinical studies of fly construction & development. Nobody should have to offer empirical data supporting their “opinion”.
And keep in mind, nobody else has to agree with YOUR opinion either. All they are required to do is disagree or post a counter-point in a respectful manner.
I have all of the brands mentioned in my desk. They all have great attributes for given applications, and many of the necks in my desk that are not whiting…are there simply because I could not find a whiting hackle better than that one in particular. Overall, I think that Whiting is beating the industry. However, I don’t feel they are the “best” for every application…“I think” that THE BEST saltwater/streamer/warmwater hackle are the dyed Keough saddles…hands down. I don’t have to qualify that in order to appease another soul in this world. Due to length/webbing/ taper/color, I think they are the best because of my personal experiences with them. And nothing is going to change “MY MIND” until “I” determine otherwise. I’m not insinuating that YOU should use them…I’m just giving my opinion…deal with it. 
Well said.
Whiting does have the best Americanized Cree Hackle (or any other hackle and that is my opinion as a Signature Designer and Production Tyer I have many other brands of Hackle on my desk, tie with it, and it serves its’ purpose). If you want it, you need to call Whiting farms directly. Otherwise, it is hard to come by anywhere else. The Americanized cree has more consistency of coloration over the true Cree (Spanish European). Not to say that you can get some beautiful True European Cree Capes. The real problem here in the states is that many places and people are selling Dark Barred Ginger Capes and calling it Cree and even charging a hefty price (there is always some scammer out there to rip a person off sadly). You have to know how to tell the difference and be able to spot the phony. I talked to my friend Tom Mullen earlier (who works at Whiting Farms). We had a long discussion about Cree Hackle and the arguments that have been going on for a long time. My best advise if you want to buy Cree is to know what you are getting (make sure it is the real McCoy). If it is not Cree, Run. Hold on to your money tightly. These days, you pay for good Hackle. NJTroutbum said it well. There is no reason to declare another person’s opinion as invalid. This is a forum to share ideas. I have stayed away from Forums that are snobbish, and start putting people down if someone does not follow their “Gospel” according to Fly Fishing or Fly Tying or anything else for that matter . I have grown over the many years (50 +) because of those that had a variety of ideas, opinions, etc. when it comes to Fly Tying, and Fly Fishing.
MV,
I dont think Charlie sells Cree, could be wrong, call or if you are close stop by he will let you rummage through the bins till you find what you want, however call first.
For those of you who have never seen a good Cree rooster.
This one had over 60% of the hackles, each with all 5 of the multi colors.
Denny
Very Very nice Denny!
Let that bird loose in a room full of flytyers and he’d look something like this:
Regards,
Scott
I have a full Cree Skin from Denny and it’s absolutely beautiful!
Skip
Collins does sell cree to established customers. I just bought a no2 last week for $70.00. It’s very nice and has all the colors
after all these years, people still get their panties in a twist about someone’s stated OPINION of what is or isn’t a good feather.
I can hardly believe my eyes, we actually do have Feather Snobs! “depends on who you know”, “only to established customers”, conspiracy theories about Whiting “sitting on” stocks of what aren’t even really cree feathers… Hell put a room full of long time tyers together and you’ll have a hard time getting 3 of them to agree what cree actually is! From my POV it’s all about people wanting to tie an Adams with only one feather.
Maybe it’s just another illustration that I’ve lived my life all wrong, that I love flies, feathers, and fishing but don’t give a damn that I have to be an insider with special contacts to buy an alleged Cree cape.
Collins is a small grower and some years only gets a couple of cree’s per year. As a result he reserves the cree’s for he his regular customers. So. it’s not snobbery on his part.
You would have really had your eyes opened, had you visited the chat room when discussion of this thread was going on…talk about twisted panties…hence my earlier post
