Small dries

[Plodger]

I've just started tying size 24 dries and will be going smaller in the future but I'm having difficulty finding hackle feathers with a small enough barb length. The cape I have is a genetic(?) with very long feathers but will only go to a size 18 or so. Where can I buy a cape and what grade should it be?

Stuart

[darwin]

Give the Whiting 100's a look, they are selected packs for a particular size if you can't find the cape or saddle your after.

[Plodger]

Thanks Darwin, will give them a look.

Stuart

[fortbhoy]

you want a whiting midge cape but they are very expensive.
try lakeland fly tying

[Plodger]

Thanks Stevie, I'll give them a call today.

[stevekale]

One buys a midge saddle not a midge cape. A Whiting cape will allow you to tie a full range of sizes. If you want the efficiency of a saddle (longer feathers but tighter size range) and you want to tie small, then a (bronze or better) midge saddle (a saddle with a general size range biased to the smaller end of the scale) will be what you are after.

[Plodger]

Found a 1/2 bronze grade midge rooster saddle on Lakeland's website but all sold out. I'm assuming this is what I need Stevekale. At these prices now I want to be sure.

Stuart

[stevekale]

Have a look here:

Flytying Boutique - for unusual and interesting materials

Not cheap but they're good. Phil is a delight to deal with also. (Give him a call with any questions/concerns you have.)

[rabmax]

A few years ago i was tying & using mostly with hackle.Last year i was looking at buying some midge saddles but they were always sold out.I don't like CDC much so opted for snowshoe & will be sticking to snowshoe now for most things ( great material)Give it a try.

[danielp]

Originally Posted by stevekale

Have a look here:

Flytying Boutique - for unusual and interesting materials

Not cheap but they're good. Phil is a delight to deal with also. (Give him a call with any questions/concerns you have.)

Just bought a half cape from him, best price I could find around. When it arrives will tell you how small the feathers go.