cheap or good hen capes/necks?

[William Anderson]

JohnP, thanks for that link. Those are really beautiful. This fly that I just posted was tyed using the one marked "Golden Straw".



I also have a real weakness for the Herbert Miner hen capes Jim carries as well. They aren't cheap, but I'll bet you get 3-4 times as many #14 hackles off one of these than an indian cape. http://www.jimsflyco.com/hen-capes/

And while you've got your wallet out I would also strongly recommend looking into the Collins hackles. He's a really good guy and I have capes that I bought from him that I cherish. His shades are wonderful and very difficult to match if at all. Plus, like Ray mentioned, he includes the saddle.

w

[JohnP]

As long as I am costing you guys some money , here is another link:

http://www.stoneriveroutfitters.com/bro ... ,2531.html

I bought the orange and the honey colored necks a month or so ago, and was really pleased with the quality.

[Smuggler]

I think you really have to use both at some point, am I right? I mean you simply can't get some of the colors you're looking for on those 5 buck capes. Or maybe you can? I could be wrong, lol.

But it is nice to to tie with the whiting capes, they are very nice in quality, and you come to appreciate quality in your tying materials over time. It took me awhile to purchase my first good quality dry fly cape, but when I look at it now I'm glad I did. Same goes with the hen capes.

Hope this helps somewhat.

[Old Hat]

I use both. Realistically though I use gamebird feathers much more than either. Some selected because of color others for certain properties. I've got some India hen that I love. I am very fond of the Whiting hen capes. In fact I use them for dry flies as well. I haven't purchased a dry fly cape in years. I prefer the hen capes for dries. I tie the hackle slightly long and then just separate the bottom fibers to the sides and press them apart with my fingers. Makes a nice low riding fly with the legs out to the sides, slightly springy, no fibers throught the surface and I think a better impression. That being said, with the ability to get multiple flies out of one feather and for me use as a dry as well, $25 is a steal.

[ashley]

Looking in my box of hen necks, its clear that I use both. I prefer to buy them in person so that I can check the quality and colour myself. in the past I thought I was going to get as the brochure or website described and got a different shade or the quality wasn't so good. I do like the Whiting neck and brahma saddles but most of my necks seem to be Indian of high quality in natural shades with a few dyed.

[Donald Nicolson]

I do like the Whiting Hen and Brahma hen a lot, but there are excellent Indian hen necks available over here.
The indian necks are closer to the farm-yard hen of the early days, very popular for some of the older spider patterns. A medium brown indian hen with a spoon shape is the nearest substitute for 'Owl'.
Indian Hen Necks - BPounds 3.99 to 6.00
Whiting Brahma Hen Neck 11.50 BPounds
Whiting Hen Neck 17.50 BPounds
All prices inc 20% tax.

[Soft-hackle]

Simply take a tip from Leisenring. The more expensive necks which are genetic in nature are finer and stiffer and often, better suited to faster water applications. The softer, webbier, cheaper barnyard hen type of necks often called Indian Hen, to me is more in the realm of game-bird style wingless wets, more suited to medium and slow currents. I actually like these BETTER than the genetic necks.

Mark

[Ruard]

I really like to tie with the partridge and golden plover feathers from the whole skin. Next to them come the hen necks and better for me the saddles of Metz or the Brahma necks of whiting. The price is only an issue when I am into the shop or do the order on internet, if I tie a fly then only the requiered quality is the issue.

Greeting

[gig]

Good hackle here in Australia costs an arm and a leg, so i do alot of tieing with inferior hackle or saddles but it doesnt seem to bother the fish at all

[mkmury]

I am so glad I asked this question! I do notice the stiffness of the "quality" genetic hackle and love the look of the fly but still wonder about the basic idea of a soft hackle and the movement of the "legs" you are trying to imitate! I have no idea which looks best to the fish but now I hopefully will keep track of the results I come up with and maybe ask another interesting question that complicates fly fishing more than it is today and gets us more into it than we are now. Thanks again for the input.