The feather fad continues.

[darwin]

I found this today, 2 #2 Metz Cree Saddles sell for $364 plus $6 shipping Here on Ebay
Most others are much less, I am tempted to sell all of my unused saddles & capes... this is way past silly.
below that was an ordinary Ginger Saddle for $57 with 90 minutes to go..
One of my suppliers just sent me an email listing Whiting saddles for $60... I paid $13 each not long ago.

[Geoff Cherrett]

Originally Posted by darwin

...2 #2 Metz Cree Saddles sell for $364 plus $6 shipping...

Ouch. More fool them, it won't last, but it won't be gone anytime soon. You will need to hang on to what you've got instead of cashing-in.

The few major (US) producers will embrace this fad for all they're worth and we'll just have to scratch around for what's left until it passes.

Over a barrell comes to mind.

[former member 7]

For the last couple of years I've bought my genetic capes from these
people in the U.S.A.
http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Far-West-Fly-ShopThe service provided is 1st. class, the goods have always arrived
within 5 working days & the quality & price is the best I've found.

All the best,

JC

[arkle]

Geoff, Tom Whiting has vowed NOT to increase production & the next/future crops of capes/saddles will not be sold direct to anyone in the fashion industry, They will only be able to purchase "hair extension packs" of feathers direct from them. Any dealers found to be knowingly selling capes/saddles to the fashion ind. will have their future supplies very limited. I gather other breeders are either going down the same route or at least considering it.

[Geoff Cherrett]

Originally Posted by arkle

Geoff, Tom Whiting has vowed NOT to increase production & the next/future crops of capes/saddles will not be sold direct to anyone in the fashion industry, They will only be able to purchase "hair extension packs" of feathers direct from them. Any dealers found to be knowingly selling capes/saddles to the fashion ind. will have their future supplies very limited. I gather other breeders are either going down the same route or at least considering it.

Fine words and I wish it were so, trouble is the shortage will continue and there will be a price hike (not my words) sometime in the near future and I doubt if Mr.Whiting will refute that.

The money these people are willing to pay will not be refused by any of the breeders, they can't afford to. How they deal with their bread and butter business (us, the fly tying fraternity) when this fad is dead and buried is a problem for another time. Until then, they will make hay.

[flyfishy61]

Originally Posted by darwin

I found this today, 2 #2 Metz Cree Saddles sell for $364 plus $6 shipping Here on Ebay
Most others are much less, I am tempted to sell all of my unused saddles & capes... this is way past silly.
below that was an ordinary Ginger Saddle for $57 with 90 minutes to go..
One of my suppliers just sent me an email listing Whiting saddles for $60... I paid $13 each not long ago.

thats interesting i have quite a few old capes including those. makes you think!!

[dabhoy]

I may have to sell all my genetics for that price as I mainly fish wets and a good old hen cape are the ones that get used in the main.

[arkle]

Geoff, my info came from the guy at Hareline.

[Geoff Cherrett]

Originally Posted by arkle

Geoff, my info came from the guy at Hareline.

I don't doubt you mate. I certainly wouldn't single out, either, any one hackle producer as being the guilty party.

It's a bit of a juggling act that will keep them awake at night. To either refuse this bounty while it's available, or, to fill their boots AND retain the loyalty of wholesale outlets like Hareline.

You're right in your earlier post that Whiting won't increase production. He will maximise on current production while slipping in a price increase on saddles up to as much as 25%.

Like you, I am going on what I'm told. Supply this year at least will be patchy and will remain so until people stop sticking chicken feathers in their head. Grizzle, Cree and Cream are the main colours in demand, though I'm told anything is fair game now these are in short supply.

Now the next thing on the horizon is earring jewlery, not a new thing this, but it could start a stampede for shorter feathers. And knowing the yanks I'll not bet against it if there's a dollar to be made.

[arkle]

There was a post, it might have been here in "viewpoint" about a firm using the shorter feathers for use on DOGS, so that they can match their owners. I've seen a post that linked to an entire dress being made of grizzle saddle feathers didn't see a price for it though, can't imagine why !

If you go to Fly Tying there's several posts on there about it as well. I'm sure one of these fashion "dealers" was selling Whiting grizzle saddle hackles (dyed) for $10 each feather. I've watched several saddles & capes go through ebay.com for $350 + even a BRONZE Hebert saddle fetched over $200.

We've managed to get some very nice capes & saddles for the BFFI, so look out for them on stand 42