Where do some of you guys get hackle large enough for varients and skaters? Ive never tied any and would like to give it a try this winter, but dont think I have large enough hackle to do so.
THanks
Doug
You could call Denny Conrad, you know, Conranch Hackle… [url=http://flyanglersonline.com/about/conranch/:9f657]http://flyanglersonline.com/about/conranch/[/url:9f657]
LadyFisher, Publisher of
FAOL
Hi Doug,
I ditto Deanna’s suggestion about Denny’s Conranch hackle. Back in the day’s when I still tied commercial BEFORE genetic hackle, India hackle was the “only thing available.” Variant hackle is best from India capes. Take care & …
Tight Lines - Al Beatty
pa,
By all means contact Denny at Conranch. His necks probably have feathers with barbs long enough to tie variants. However, as good as his stock is, he probably has ‘bred out’ the feathers the size you want for ‘skaters’.
You may find feathers large enough for skaters on Whiting Tailing packs, Chinese necks or try some farm that has roosters that are free ranging. Farmer may sell one to you. You’ll have to kill it and skin it though but it may be worth it.
Allan
any neck over 30 years old. Indian neckes are my pick but newer necks are as stiff as they were.
If you can’t find the proper color just use a Grizzly and Brown hackle mixed. It will get you close enough so the fish do not care. The one hackle that is still (In my Book) missing is the good hackle long enough to tie size 4’s 6’s and 8 dry flies. Such and Salmon Wulfs and Varents. It is still hard to come by. I have orders here and I am waiting tying to find hackle for them as I write this. I ordered from two companys and nither one had hackle that I felt was worth the money. Just not stiff enough in my book. But I will admit I am a little picky.
In a letter from Art Flick I have he said about the same thing. He felt that the larger hackle for is varients was real hard to come by. He told me he always had an eye out for it. Still that way today. Ron