Im looking for some stiff striaght spade hackle, in the more popular colors. Are the new tailing packs from whiting just as stiff? And I don’t want to use Micro fibbets. I would really appriciate it if anyone could point me in the right direction to find some stiff, striaght spade hackle.
Thanks
Doug
Doug,
While you do not specify this, I infer from your post you are referring to tailing materials for dries.
I would suggest you try some good quality Coq de Leon feathers. While not inexpensive, even a single feather will provide tailing materials for quite a few dries.
Here is a picture of some feathers I brought back from a recent visit to Leon in Spain.
Tom Whiting is making excellent progress in his Coq de leon breeding program, which in turn will make the material more widely available.
Cheers,
Hans W
=== You have a friend in Low Places ===
http://www.danica.com/flytier
Hans;
That picture speaks volumes. That is high quality advice. Jax.
I’m a much better Fly fisher when talking fishing, than when I’m Actually Fly fishing!
I have been using the Coq de Leon for tailing on my dries. Great stuff! The fibers are long and stiff and are mottled to boot.
Steve
“If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went”-Will Rogers
I agree with Hans. Coq de Leon feathers. Hareline carries quality Coq de Leon feathers.
John G.
Albuquerque, NM
Doug,
Whiting Tailing Packs . Really nice stuff. Highly recommended.
Jim
[url=http://www.Jimsflyco.com:2bcf3]www.Jimsflyco.com[/url:2bcf3]
[This message has been edited by Jim Slattery (edited 12 July 2005).]
Doug; Just as a matter of interest, The Bantam Rooster is a good source of nice stiff tailing material and I would imagine not too difficult to get your hands on. Or are Bantams in the U.S. also kept as Pets by the young uns?? If so they will be taboo.
“G” Jax
I’m a much better Fly fisher when talking fishing, than when I’m Actually Fly fishing!
Thanks for the replys,
And yes sorry for not specifying I am looking for tailing on dry flies. But to be even more specific I need tailing for traditional catskill dries, such as a quill gordon, and I wouldnt want any mottled feather which I have found alot of the coq de leon are.
I really would like to get some nice spade hackle but if not I may try the whiting packs.
Thanks agian
Doug
paflyfisher16,
I was not trying to suggest that CdL is the only candidate, just one of the options. Others have offered very suitable alternatives.
Regarding the mottling: CdL, roughly speaking, comes in two strains. Pardo, which has the mottling, and Indio, which is a plain color.
Cheers,
Hans W
=== You have a friend in Low Places ===
http://www.danica.com/flytier
Doug,
I just tied up a dozen Hendrickson drys for Al Campbell’s Memorial bench using the Whiting tailing packs. Straight color , without speckling.
I’m currently tying up Light Cahills.
Really nice stuff, I could be wrong but they sure look like spade hackle to me. Whiting states that the feathers “come from the shoulders of the roosters, or more technically referred to as the humoral tract feathers.”
You Can get either Pardo or " non speckled feathers"
Jim
[url=http://www.Jimsflyco.com:f5a49]www.Jimsflyco.com[/url:f5a49]
[This message has been edited by Jim Slattery (edited 14 July 2005).]
Jim S,
In my educational experience regarding hackles, mostly gained through conversations and demonstrations by a particular hackle breeder, I’ve learned that true spade hackles are from the shoulders of the rooster. While the front throat hackles, that appear on the edges of the trimmed neck, do have long stiff barbs, they are not spades. As explained to me those hackle are natures way of protection. Maybe yes, maybe no. Anyway, the spades are on the shoulders or I believe ‘bow’ of the bird.
Allan
Hey thanks agian for all the info from everyone.
Jim do you think you could post a picture of the flies you just tied with the whiting tailing material I’de like to see how they turned out.
Thanks agian for all the help.
DOug
Hi Allan,
That’s what I thought but I have heard the throat hackles were spades as well. Thanks.
Doug,
I’ll try to post one…kinda busy right now…I’ll see what I can do.
Take Care,
Jim
Go to the hardware store and check out the paint brushes. Lots of nice tailing material to be found there.
I tie almost all Catskill patterns and for the Quill Gordon I use the same neck as I use for the hackle a med dark dun. I pick a very rounded feather that is stiff. Any cape neck will have great tailing material, and will make more tails then it will hackle.
Fox
Doug,
You asked for it, this is from a current Light Cahill order
Here’s a pic of the Whiting Tailing Packs in use. [url=http://www.jimsflyco.com/html/flies.html:590f7]http://www.jimsflyco.com/html/flies.html[/url:590f7]
To Be honest I haven’t the slightest clue how to post the pic here + the file might be to large. I’m still learning this picture stuff.
Hope this helps.
take care,
Jim
[url=http://www.Jimsflyco.com:590f7]www.Jimsflyco.com[/url:590f7]
Very neat Light Cahill, Jim. Thanks for sharing.
Cheers,
Hans W
=== You have a friend in Low Places ===
http://www.danica.com/flytier
Wow Jim thanks for taking the time to post that picture. REALLY nice. The tailing looks very striaght and uniform.
The hackle you used for that particular fly is that the Herbert minor whiting line?
Thanks agian
Doug
Doug,
Thanks for the compliment. Whiting tailing packs are really nice.
The hackle is Whiting’s Hebert/Miner line.1 light ginger hackle and 1 cream hackle. Great hackle.
Hans,
Thanks…pancakes?
Take care,
Jim
[url=http://www.Jimsflyco.com:f9d50]www.Jimsflyco.com[/url:f9d50]