Whiting 100s vs Hebert Silver

[la_jolla1]

I have just been tying some Kite's Imperials and some double badgers using silver badger whiting 100 (all I could find in the hair accessorized US) and a golden badger cape (Hebert Silver). The saddle 100 is definitely the stiffest hackle I have ever tied with. The hackle cuff seems to have the consistency of a toilet brush (even though it ties OK), whereas the Hebert cape is really nice to work with.

Anybody else find the 100s very bristly and perhaps a gene selection too far?

[shpeil]

That's interesting. I tend to find my metz saddles to be softer than my whiting capes, but I don't own any whiting saddles or whiting 100s so can't make your comparison. I would have thought, however, that stiffer the better for that style of dry fly.

[horses50]

I used to tie with metz but i found they had a habit of twisting when i was winding it on to the hook,have not had that problem with the whiting i find they are a joy to tie with so its whitings all the way for me if you can get them.Yes they are a bit stiff but surely that is what you want for dry flies?

[arkle]

With ALL natural products there is bound to be some seasonal variation, it could be that they were "harvested" at a different time of year. i.e. winter are often stiffer than summer, or the age of the bird or any number of other things.

[la_jolla1]

Thanks Arkle, good point. I guess the key point is only buy hackle you can actually handle, which is a challenge during this current shortage.

[vgb]

LJ

If the US doesn't have an import restriction, like for foodstuffs, why not try some of the sellers on here. There are many good guys with strong recommendations from the forum.