cheap or good hen capes/necks?

[mkmury]

Here's the question of the day, are you happier spending $5 on a cheap hen neck that will catch trout but maybe not look so well before it ends up tied to your tippet, or will you spend $20 or $25 on a Whiting neck or cape that is idiot proof(ahem, me) and looks like a pro tied it even after 3 fish have done their best to mangle it, or don't you care? I can't decide except for the fact that I have more confidence in the well tied fly and will fish it more often. I wish I had a camera and the brains to put up pics of each so PLEASE feel free to do so if you wish and can. thank you.

[narcodog]

I use both. It depends mostly dependent on the color of the feather that I am looking for.

[DUBBN]

I really have a hard time answering this. I do not care what the fly looks like as long as it catches fish. I have 5 dollar capes, and I have 25 dollar capes. Heres the thing. If I wrap a feather from a 25 dollar cape two wraps, I can tye 4 flies with one feather. If I use 3 wraps I can get 3 flies. If I wrap once, I can get 6 flies. The five dollar neck? One feather one fly, one to two wraps.

Its a pay me now or pay me later thing. You have to decide. In my opinion, the cheaper way out is the more expensive neck.

I have no proof or documentation of this. It's just my opinion.

Also depends if I am after carp.

[letumgo]

I am a firm believer in the quality of Indian Hen hackle. The stuff is inexpensive ($5 USD) and makes a beautiful fly. I fish them with confidence and they consistently bring results. If you are looking for a less expensive alternate to the Whiting skins, take a look at Collins Hackle. The quality is top notch and good value ($22 USD gets you both the neck and the saddle). Great colors too.

If you call Great Feathers (http://www.greatfeathers.com) and tell them what you are looking for, they can hook you up with Collins hen sets.

I look forward to hearing what others have to say on the subject...

[chase creek]

I'm with Ray and Dubbin on this. I tie almost all of my soft hackles with Indian Hen. Inexpensive, a pretty good variety of colors, and readily available around here. I have had very few issues with quality. Been using the Hareline stuff, like I said, readily available.

[JohnP]

I usually go with the Brahma hen necks from Whiting. They are usually $12 from most suppliers. I did recently pick up a couple of dyed hen necks from Stone River Outfitters at $6 a piece and was surprised by their quality.

[DUBBN]

12.00 for Brahma? Is that like a good deal? My flyshop ordered two for me. 23.00 bucks a piece. Am i getting a screw thrown to me? Dont hold back on opinions as I havent payed yet! HELP!!!!!

[William Anderson]

Wayne, $12-$16 is about right for a high quality brahma hen cape. $20 for a saddle. These are well worth the money.

I have the full gammet as well, from $5 capes to the nicest variants. They all have excellent uses and some of the less expensive capes are some of the best suited for soft-hackles. That being said, my tying time is limited and I generally feel like you get what you pay for. I don't tie enough that the cost becomes a major issue. Especially after buying a supply of nice dry fly capes when I first started tying. Everytime I buy a hen cape I feel like I'm getting away with a steal.

Wayne's right too about the additional flies from the more expensive capes, as well as maybe twice as many feathers on a nice cape.

How's that for hedging bets.

w

[JohnP]

12.00 for Brahma? Is that like a good deal? My flyshop ordered two for me. 23.00 bucks a piece. Am i getting a screw thrown to me? Dont hold back on opinions as I havent payed yet! HELP!!!!!

I have been buying them from Jim Slattery for $12 each. The Stone River Outfitters necks are smaller, but the quality of the feathers is just as good, in my opinion. I think $23 is a lot for a wet fly neck, but then, I have paid more for a couple of Conranch jv hen necks.

Here's a link to Slattery's products:
http://www.jimsflyco.com/brahma-hackle/

[DUBBN]

Wow!!! Thanks for the heads up folks! (JohnP, and William). I will tell my flyshop to cancel the order, and I will look else where for my feathers. Big thanks all!