This may seem like a weak question, but where can I buy white hen hackle tips for dying, and for tying spent wing spinner patterns and others like A. K. Best ties? I guess I want to purchase Hen hackle tips, correct? I need them soon.
Help & Thanks
you might be able to buy some from the fine sponsors on this site!
Flyfishers Paradise In State College PA ask or look for their domestic hen necks…It is best if you can rummage through them yourself to get the most rounded and webby hackled necks…They have a site…But NO online ordering…Best to call for a catalog if you cannot get to their store…
Good idea Norm! I’ll check the sponsors on this site.
RELATED QUESTION:
Those hackle tips seem very fragile. Will they hold up after catching a few fish?
I guess if A. K. uses them they do or maybe he keeps switching flies?
Lastchance The hackle tips themselves are quite durable. If the fly isn’t tied well they can pull out leaving you without a wing. See Al Campbell’s tying lessons for winging flies or check A.K s books on how to properly prepare and tie in wings to avoid this problem.
Get hold of Denny at www.conranch.com, you can get his JV Hen skins and you’ll get what you need for hackle tips and you’ll also get the rest. Great deal at a great price. Not affiliated just a VERY satisfied customer.
Fatman
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The hen hackle you want is from Whiting. It’s called “Mayfly winger cape” it comes stapled to the “American Hackle” cardboard but on the back is noted as te “Mayfly Winger Cape”. A problem though, they are not readily available. They are not listed in the dealer catalogue the last I knew so you will have to ask the shop owner to call and order them for you. Not all shop owners are aware of this. I get these necks in cream and grizzly. I dye the cream necks light, medium, and dark dun and sulpher.