Lately I’ve been tying some salmon flies and I have been having trouble with the throat. I’m just using a basic hen hackle but I was wondering what else I could use. Is there another hackle that is a good substitute?
-Logan
I use hen necks and schlappan for the throats. These are thicker, more web, and retain their colour with fewer fibers. Furthermore, the fewer fibers also retains more motion in the water then other hackles. Although I do use rooster saddle hackle for collars and throats occasionally.
For some flies I use moose hair or other hairs for the throats, it all depends. You could use ring neck rump feathers for a more flowing throat. But if you want to retain good colour use hen necks or schlappan.
P
Thanks for the tips. I was searching throat hackles in google though and it said something about using chinese cock necks. Do these work well too?
Another vote for Schlappen!
You can use chinese rooster neck, but the webbier the better it seems. Stay with schlappen and hen hackle. Usually the saddle is the webbiest, but you can buy what are called hen salmon necks, that are perfect for salmon/steelhead flies.
more web = more movement
Some companys also produce a neck with spey hackles.
They are quite affordable, I think hook and hackle carry them.
chris