It's gotta be the damn hackle!!

[sunsignarcher]

I've been working with one of the Whiting intro hackle packs that come with the 4 half capes learning to tie drys. Ive been very happy with all but one of the capes.

Everything I've tied with the griz has been a headache. The hackle just rolls and rolls and wants to be on its back or face no matter how I tie it in. At first I thought it was me but I dont have this problem with any other cape, hen, rooster even the partridge was easy.

I stopped torturing myself today and took a good look at these feathers in comparison to the other capes in the pack. The individual griz feathers are cupped twice what the other capes are all the way to their tips. They are also very dense and hard to preen back without kinking half the barbs.

Is it me, or is the cape? Are these characteristics common ones I should be able to work with or should I scrap this thing and get a replacement?

And where could I go to find a good hackle selection I can look over and inspect before I buy?

 

[lightenup]

I got one of those starter packs a couple years back, and didn't have any problems, but I have tied with some people who have the best hackle...Whiting grades it...gold silver bronze and the such..I don't know them all..But materials matter!!! I got to use great hackle a few times, and it is easier to tie with, and makes a nicer fly...The fish probably won't notice, but I do.....and will spend the x-tra dollars when I run out of my starter pack...Your problem, the fish might notice?...I find that Shannon's will let you open stuff to check it out as long as you don't jack it up.....

 

[sunsignarcher]

I can get it on but have to twist the shit out of it to get each turn down. Every time I come up from under the hook w/ a wrap its orientation changes.

What makes quality hackle easier? I though the grades were based on size, barb count and no of flies it'll yield?

 

[sunsignarcher]

You can see in that middle pic how many damn different directions that griz is going.

 

[sunsignarcher]

Even when I try to bend it around a hackle gauge the barbules act like the don't wanna come off the stem.

 

[lightenup]

Take it back and complain....maybe the cape got crushed.....

 

[tomfly]

I have had some bad capes in the past. Sometime you just get a bad one. I have grade 1s that wrap horribly . I have had grade 3s that wrapped perfect. I do not know what makes one wrap better then the other, they look the same. I think it is just the luck of the draw. I found it too be the same between all the brands that I use Whiting, Metz, Collins. I also found it does not effect the performance of the fly pertaining to whether it catches fish or not. They work equally well. It is just an aesthetics thing. I don't think the fish really care how the hackle is wrapped.

 

[flytire]

And where could I go to find a good hackle selection I can look over and inspect before I buy?

Your local fly shop?

 

[flytire]

Even when I try to bend it around a hackle gauge the barbules act like the don't wanna come off the stem.

Stroke them back with your fingers first

 

[sunsignarcher]

Stroke them back with your fingers first

Easier said then done with this cape. I mentioned above when I stroke them back they kink and crease.

Your local fly shop?

Not likely. Even Shannons has a limited supply. I'm guessin thats the case everywhere though.

Ill make do with ginger barred for now and pick this cape apart for tails from now on.

 

[CTobias]

That's what you get for not buying Collins Hackle.

 

[lightenup]

Ill make do with ginger barred for now and pick this cape apart for tails from now on.

How about some HOH flies with it? WIll it work for that....maybe use it as kindling..that stuff burns quick

 

[sunsignarcher]

I could always put it in my hair.

 

[NJpatbee]

No doubt you have a bad 1/2 cape. Grizzly is also one of the more wirey hackle with a mind of its own. I have never purchased a neck without inspecting it in person, and tend to buy it infrequently during the year. I am not sure where you live but finding a well stocked local shop or by attending one of the many fly tying or fly fishing shows you should find a wide selection. I have used most of the mentioned hackle producers necks, but would also give a nod to Keough for great value.

 

[Johnny Utah]

A.K best said in one of his books, that you can send him that neck and he will gladly tie with it. Give that baby a steaming over a kettle. Should correct any wayward stems you got. That is if you didnt dispose of it! lol

Also with a whiting hackle, use less turns as the barb density is far greater than other hackle.

Happy tying! :beer1:

 

[sunsignarcher]

For Father's Day shortly after this post my kids gave me the fly tyers bench side reference as a gift.

AWESOME BOOK!

One of the first things I read in this book was what to stay away from when selecting a cape. It mirrored how I described this cape above.

Two things to avoid where cupped barbs and barb tips angled to far forward towards the tip as opposed to being more parallel with the stem.

at least I have plenty of goddard anntenae now

 

[Randyflycaster]

Two things to avoid where cupped barbs and barb tips angled to far forward towards the tip as opposed to being more parallel with the stem.

at least I have plenty of goddard anntenae now

Please explain. I'm not sure what you mean.

Randy

 

[sunsignarcher]

Randy, heres an excerpt from the book:

"More easily observed is the straightness of the barbs. Many feathers are slightly "cupped" from front to back; the front side of the feather is slightly convex and the rear slightly concave. A small degree of cupping does no harm at all, but severely cupped feathers can tie poorly. The same is true with barbs that arc toward the tip. In all hackle feathers, of course, the barbs lean toward the tip, but some barbs actually curve in that direction, and in our experience, such feathers are much more apt to twist or roll during tying."

"The Fly Tiers Benchside Reference"