Many hackle companies claim their product is the best. But they can’t all be the best. I would like an unbiased comparison review from personal experience on what hackle company I should use. Don’t regarding price. What company has the hackle that is truly top quality.
Thanks in advance
Fishin’ squirt,
Michael E.
I searched the archives here to give you some reading material:
http://www.flyanglersonline.com/bb/showthread.php?34559-Hackle&highlight=hackle
http://www.flyanglersonline.com/bb/showthread.php?34499-Dry-Fly-Hackle&highlight=hackle
http://www.flyanglersonline.com/prorevw/conranch.php
http://www.flyanglersonline.com/begin/101/hackle.php
I would not presume to tell you what hackle you should buy, and you will never get an unbiased comparison from me for I form an opinion which would preclude that from being unbiased as it would only be based on my limited (I am only one person) experience. Also I have only tied a few thousand flies and have never tied commercially (I would starve). BUT for me I would recommend Conranch Hackle, a sponsor here.
mcsteff
There, I bit.
Conranch , Whiting
I like Collins hackle and Whiting. I can’t say anything about Conrach as I have never seen one. If you are looking for great Dun’s the Whiting Hebert line are very good. I used to tie with Metz but I don’t care for them any longer and have sold what I had.
I tie with Whiting. Never been disappointed yet. Just got a new midge saddle a few weeks back…been tying 22s and 24s with great results.
Conranch. Period. Enough said.
The truth is that all of the genetic hackle is much better than the Indian necks I learned on. If you have access to a fly shop get an experienced tyer to help you select hackle there. If not I would also reconmend Conranch because you can call and talk to Denny about what you are tying and let him select for you based on your needs. If you order from a big box they will just send the one on top of the pile.
whiting farms. period.
Much prefer Whiting.
I don’t think brand matters really as long as you get one of the major producers mentioned above. The bigger question is what form to buy the feathers. Neck, saddle, 100 packs?? . . . That’s my dilemma. I think from now in, I’ll be buying the Whiting 100 packs. I don’t tie enough dries in different sizes for a whole neck to make sense for me.
Depends on how much you want to pay. I recommend Whiting. You can find deals on Ebay/flyfishing and www.bobanddavesauctions.com . Ray
If you’re going to tie more than 100 dries in your life with that color hackle, I’d at least go for a half-saddle from Whiting. I don’t know about your local retailer, but around here, the 100’s packs go for anywhere from 15-20 bucks. A half saddle is usually about 25-30, with way more feathers, and a bit more flexibility in terms of size. Your 100 pack of #14 grizzly for $18 could have been a half-saddle for less than $10 more, with double the feathers (at least), and a few #12s and #16 mixed in. Now if you’re tying a specific pattern, for a trip or something, that you wouldn’t normally tie for home waters, then a 100s pack might be perfect…but for my money, I want a skin.