Would someone explain the difference between Whiting’s premimum dry fly hackles which cost ~ $70 and the Herbert Miner hackle that cost quite a bit less? Is there significant difference in quality and are they used for different purposes? Thanks
Whole can o’ worms in that question.
Hopefully, some more knowing than me can help answer.
In my opinion, start with what you want to tie and go from there BUT if you can’t see/handle any tying material is is tough to say what is what…not exactly a highly regulated biz.
Check out Conranch, they are a site sponser and their site offers some good insight on hackle materials.
I think that all of us new guys have that same question. Some of it is in the number of flies that you can tie from a single neck and some of it, is in the number of smaller hackle that is available in that neck. As a new tier myself, I found this audio fly fishing show, called “Hackle: The Facts About Feathers” to be extremely helpful no matter what brand of product that you buy. It was done by interviewing THEE man at Whiting Farms, Thomas Whiting. You can listen to it on your IPod or your computer: http://www.askaboutflyfishing.com/speakers/thomas/thomas.cfm
By the way in that show, Mr. Whiting recomends that you buy Bronze grade stuff as a new guy unless you need to tie a bunch of really small flies.
Rick
I’ll echo this recommendation. The podcast is very informative and worth a listen.
-wayne
Terry -
This would be a good thread to post on the Fly tying forum if you’re looking for specific info on Miner. A lot of the guys that tie Catskill style dries will be a lot more familiar with them and others from the Darbee line like Collins etc.
My info is only based on limited exposure to them years ago, but at least then they were also sold graded, and some of the gold grade Miners would be comparable in price to the same grade Whiting capes. Maybe you’re speaking of the Pro Grade Miners vs Gold Whiting? If so that would be apples/oranges based on size range and # of feathers.
In general the ones I saw tied less of the smaller sizes as a comparable Whiting grade, had a range of sizes, but tended to have more in one size, than a whiting, which had a wider distribution of feathers in each size in its range, and the Whitings were particularly strong in grizzly.
The comparable grade whitings also probably had greater barb density and more feathers, but frankly I was more blown away by the colors of the Miners-- lots of barring, wide variation in natural dun colors, and really good warm colors with a variety of badgers etc.
As far as what’s best for you, it would be good to post on the fly tying board for suggestions based on the sizes, colors, and numbers of flies in each you’d like to tie.
Just for example you might get a recommendation for different grades and combinations like 1/2 capes in grizz and dun to tie a range of sizes from small stuff to large, 1/4 saddle in brown for 10-12-14, and 1/4 micro saddle in light ginger for 14-16-18 etc. and maybe a whiting 100 pack for some off beat color/size you need, again depending on what, and how many you’re tying.
hope this helps.
peregrines
Thanks so much for all the good information. It has really helped me out. Thanks again. tc