Anyone have any experience with Hebert Pro grade saddles? I’m looking for hackles in the 12-14 range (16 would be nice, but I don’t want to be greedy), and I like their color selection. I’ve purchased a few of their capes and been very satisfied, but haven’t tried the saddles yet. Not expecting Whiting quality but don’t want stuff suited for buggers only, either.
Regards,
Scott
I have a few Hebert saddles in different grades including Pro grade. They typically run in larger sizes than the Whiting line (Red Label) of saddles that are heaviest in sizes 14-16.
Most of the Hebert Saddles I have (recently bought) are heaviest in size 12-14’s with a scattering of 16 and/or 10’s. They are dry fly quality saddles, with thin flexible stems that wrap easily. The feathers run about 10-12" long on the Pro grade, so you get multiple flies per feather.
A few run more to 10-12 in size so it does pay to check them out. And much more rarely, some run 8-10 - if they’re spotted these are usually sold at a premium to people looking for feathers for tying Variants and other flies with oversized hackle.
Since all saddles tend to run in a limited size range, it pays to check each saddle before you buy to make sure you have the range of sizes you’re looking for---- or if you can’t do it in person, to have someone you trust pull some and check for you to make sure you get what you want.
An alternative for that size range and also very reasonably priced are Conranch saddles- I’m sure Denny or Liz would make sure you got what you were looking for in sizes.
mark
Conranch Hackle (Sponsor of FAOL) 1s the place for top grade hackle, without the high price cost.
They do not sell to fly shops, only to you (the fly tier).
They raise their own stock.
~Parnelli
The Hebert-Miner saddles shine if you’re looking for natural duns, badgers and creams. Flexible stems, but stiff barbs - and the pro grade saddles are good for hundreds and hundreds of flies.
Here I go doing what normally irks me but what I’ve noted on H-M capes could well apply to the saddles. The feathers are of very good quality with the exception of their Grizzly.
The Pro grade Grizzlies are much lower in overall quality than any of the creams, duns or browns.
The barred colors are very nice,
one name DENNY denny’s site great man great hackls colours no one elce has
edit. this s a beautiful ginger hat they offer. dark ginger
Thanks everyone for your input and advice; that’s what is so great about this site.
Regards,
Scott
CharlaineC: I realize that Denny is a sponsor and has fine products, but the original question related to Whiting H-M products. I only brought up the Metz line to point out some comparisons with which I have experience. Would you please make specific comparisons that would benefit the thread originator
Thanks.
Well Ray, it would seem the mentioning of colors no one else has is a start. If we lay the heavy boots on new tyers do you suppose that encourages participation?
Just asking…
art
My bad there; I should have said that I was looking primarily at the ginger and brown end of the feather spectrum. It’s all good folks.
Regards,
Scott