Hackles...

[fishyjames]

Please could you explain to me what hackles (cock and hen) would be best for me, I will be tying on mainly 10 - 14 hooks for now but Will probably go smaller later on.

Right now I have one cape, which is a turral cape, either indian or chinese, but it is very small, the feathers are very short and they are always way too big, probably only good for tying size 6 or 8 hooks, and the fibres are very sparse, meaning that they don't look at all good on the fly. (If i am lucky enough to find one the right size)

Could somebody please tell me the difference between cape and saddle hackles, I have been really confused about this. I don't really want to spend too much on these, I just want a good quality alternative to what I have. below are a hen and a cock saddle i have found, they seem like the right ones for me.

The hen saddle I have found
Whiting American Hen Saddle - Lakeland Fly-Tying Limited

Cock saddle - they say it ties 10,12,14 size flies, so i think this may be the best?
Whiting Hebert Pro-Grade Saddle - Lakeland Fly-Tying Limited

Any help appreciated, regards

[dabhoy]

James it really depend on what you want to tie regarding hackles.
I would suggest getting some cheap hen capes and some chinese cock capes for getting you started and worry about the genetic capes later.
The link you are showing wont do you any good as the hen capes are far too big for trout flies and there are no saddles in stock as they are a bit like hens teeth at the moment.

[budgie]

James,

Hackles can be somewhat bewildering to start with. It all depends on what types of flies and in what sizes you plan to tie. I have found the following guide to Whiting hackles a useful reference.
Reference

Nigel at Lakeland Fly Tying should be able to help you. If you email him and explain that you are just starting up and what types of flies you will be tying, he can probably advise you.

[fishyjames]

Originally Posted by dabhoy

James it really depend on what you want to tie regarding hackles.
I would suggest getting some cheap hen capes and some chinese cock capes for getting you started and worry about the genetic capes later.
The link you are showing wont do you any good as the hen capes are far too big for trout flies and there are no saddles in stock as they are a bit like hens teeth at the moment.

Thanks for the help, my only issue with chinese cock capes is that the one I have I think is chinese, and the feathers are awful, shall I still go for them for now?

[mot]

James get some quality Indian capes from Chris at Lathkill, I've had several from him and they have all been top quality. If you tell him what you intend to tie he'll help you with what you need. I'd recommend phoning and talking it through with him if you can to make sure your ordering what you really need, rather than ordering online.

Webiste Unavailable is the website if you want to browse

[BRUCE1]

Originally Posted by fishyjames

Cock saddle - they say it ties 10,12,14 size flies, so i think this may be the best?
Whiting Hebert Pro-Grade Saddle - Lakeland Fly-Tying Limited

Any help appreciated, regards

Originally Posted by budgie

James,

Hackles can be somewhat bewildering to start with. It all depends on what types of flies and in what sizes you plan to tie. I have found the following guide to Whiting hackles a useful reference.
Reference

Nigel at Lakeland Fly Tying should be able to help you. If you email him and explain that you are just starting up and what types of flies you will be tying, he can probably advise you.

well maybe he could help but they dont have any of the above in stock

[flytyingguy]

Hey mate, ive been looking for saddles for ages, im wllling to pay up to £30 which is more than i get per month but i cant find any, i think what to do is get some of lathkills indian capes and wait till this fashion fad is oer, and just tie damsels blobs boobies heres ears, ptns etc. as doing flies which dont need exxpensive capes will keep ye busy through the winter - one more tip btw, when you go to tie a fly, make sure you do at least 3 in sz 10, 3 in sz 12 and if its a nymph or dry then do 3 sz 14s - 9 of each fly seems a lot but it means when you do your 9th thats you mastered the fly - if the nymphs that are about are small or you keep getting half hearted takes you can move down a size and if you lose one up a tree or something you can just as easily tie another on, do this and it will help you immensly, good luck and if you do find smewhere which sells saddles for reasonable prices then id be grateful if you would drop a pm

[GuyFromLaw]

Originally Posted by flytyingguy

Hey mate, ive been looking for saddles for ages, im wllling to pay up to £30 which is more than i get per month but i cant find any, i think what to do is get some of lathkills indian capes and wait till this fashion fad is oer, and just tie damsels blobs boobies heres ears, ptns etc. as doing flies which dont need exxpensive capes will keep ye busy through the winter - one more tip btw, when you go to tie a fly, make sure you do at least 3 in sz 10, 3 in sz 12 and if its a nymph or dry then do 3 sz 14s - 9 of each fly seems a lot but it means when you do your 9th thats you mastered the fly - if the nymphs that are about are small or you keep getting half hearted takes you can move down a size and if you lose one up a tree or something you can just as easily tie another on, do this and it will help you immensly, good luck and if you do find smewhere which sells saddles for reasonable prices then id be grateful if you would drop a pm

Ahhh, a Bangladeshi fly angler?

[coasty]

James

If you are wanting to start of using genetic capes I would contact one of the dealers on here.For those fly sizes I would get a couple of half neck capes. From whiting or metz. They will give you a good range of hackles and more than enough of them to get you going...
Either that or buy a few decent indian neck capes. I have just bought a turral indian hen cape, That will ties 10s to 14s well enough. There are plenty of decent indian cock capes that will do the same.

Dont think that saddle capes are the answer to all your prayers. Personally I use mainly neck capes for the spread of hackles sizes.

Andy

[GuyFromLaw]

James, if you are under 16 (??) please ask your parents if they mind you giving me your name and address.

If ok, I'll post you out some half capes for free buddy. They're exactly what you are looking for just now, small enough for the sizes you mentioned, decent quality but weren't expensive, so perfect for you messing around with and improving your skills.

Then, you will get an idea on what you are looking for.

There's some cock capes for tying your dry fly hackles, and softer hen capes for your wets.

Send me a PM with your details, and mind check with your parents if you're under 16.