I’m getting ready to stock up on some tying supplies and had a question for all you Hook & Hack people. I was looking at the metz # half capes and the H&H half capes. I’ve used metz and know pretty much what to expect, but I haven’t tried the H&H capes. Can anyone recommend one over the other? Thanks
Personally, I would go with Conranch http://www.conranch.com/
Denny grows some great capes and saddles. Check out his web site.
PS: Conranch is also a sponsor of FAOL.
Larry —sagefisher—
the only thing i can recommend is that you should not buy capes/saddles sight unseen or that you cannot personally handle to inspect the quality.
thats my personal preference others will be different.
For a new tyer, what do you look for while inspecting capes and saddles etc. I know it depends on what type of fly you are tying, but I could use some help here. Is there any links that someone could point me to on how to select materials? thanks
Clay,
You might want to take a look at this. http://www.conranch.com/hackle_article.html
It’s an article on hackle from the Conranch web site (a sponsor of this fine site). You could also give Denny a call at Conranch. He’ll be more than happy to talk hackle with you.
Like Normand, I don’t like buying feathers unless I can hold them in my hot little hands and check them oiut for myself. Conranch Hackle is the exception to the rule. I know I can trust Denny to provide great hackle at a reasonable price.
I haven’t purchased hackle from Hook and Hackle, though I do buy a lot of other stuff there. They too, are sponsors of this site.
REE
I have purchased capes from Hook and Hackle and from Conranch and I would recommend the Conranch. I find their service and the quality of their hackle hard to beat.
Bill
I’ll second conranch…having just purchased some hackle…Denny top notch quick to reply to emails and great assistance on the phone.
Clay,
When I ‘inspect’ a cape, what I’m looking for are:
Supple stems that don’t ‘twist’ when wrapped (take the cape out of the bag and wrap a couple of random sizes around a toothpick or hook shank-don’t ‘pluck’ them, just separate them from the surrounding feathers and test them while still attached)). The barbs should stand up straight, be even (distribution around the bend), and the stems shouldn’t be dry (look for cracking in the enamel of the stem-sure sign they’ll break on you).
I want the feathers to be as straight as possible through the ‘sweet spot’ (edges as close to parallel as I can find). I look for gaps or bare/low density areas of the hide (not a problem lately, hackle is getting better and better).
I inspect the back side of the hide. Should be clean but not dry and brittle.
Last, I look at color through the usable portion of the feathers. Some necks will have great color but it will fade out quickly as you get back from the ‘show’ (portion of the feather visible while the hide is laying flat). I like strong color as far towards the hide as possible.
Buddy
p.s; If you are unsure about any of this, get your feathers from Conranch-they’ll do all of this for you…BS
Lets try this, Call any grower, Ask they grow exactly a chicken for you. No ask Denny, he will grow one for you; your very own named bird, it might have a set of numbers resembling a convict, but raise and well bred. If you have not progressed in life enough to ‘chat among real men who tie flies’; I proffer you should hold your countenance lest you be made jest for the evening. They are the creme-de-le-creme’ of fancy chicken plumage.
Thanks for the tips guys, I hope that I didn’t side track the post too much but it seemed to go along with the title of the thread.
Rick
JC,
Cool idea.
I bet Denny could do that…maybe we could pick the egg, then be surprised by the results…sort of like having a baby, but you get to kill it and use it to tie flies with…
Buddy
Now I gotta go and get a paper towl to wipe the coffee off my monitor.
Ed
Considering the title of this thread ( Which cape to choose ? ), I was sure JC’s reply was going to be …
SUPERMAN’s.
You NEVER, EVER tug on Superman’s cape!
Deezel
Deezel is correct. One doesn’t want to raise Superman’s hackles…
Ed
Talk to Denny and he will get you the hackle you need.
He is very helpful to all those who he deals with.
Rick
I have to agree with all who said talk to Denny at conranch. I got 4 JV Rooster capes with saddles from them not long ago and love the ones I got.
I also called and sent emails to Denny and he was a great help!
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