Substitute for size 22 hackle

[Kado]

Tied up some 22 midges using ostrich with a supporting layer of peacock. Think it will work?
I’d like to not have to by 22 hackle if possible.
Thanks,
Mark

 

[mcswny]

Tied up some 22 midges using ostrich with a supporting layer of peacock. Think it will work?
I’d like to not have to by 22 hackle if possible.
Thanks,
Mark

Just get a decent cape and it should easily have some 22s at the base.

 

[Cabezon]

CDC or snowshoe hair?
Steve

 

[TicTokCroc]

Alternate could be snowshoe hare in a dubbing loop? Or a small foam bubble like an emerger? Possibly cdc. If you dont want to buy hackle. I would think ostrich would absorb water fast and sink like marabou.

 

[TicTokCroc]

CDC or snowshoe hair?
Steve

Beat me to it

 

[Zak]

Just get a decent cape and it should easily have some 22s at the base.

This.

 

[Kado]

I was worried about the softness of it. Well…..until I can find a decent cape, I’ll give these a try this weekend. Does floatant help?

Alternate could be snowshoe hare in a dubbing loop? Or a small foam bubble like an emerger? Possibly cdc. If you dont want to buy hackle. I would think ostrich would absorb water fast and sink like marabou.

 

[Kado]

CDC or snowshoe hair?
Steve

So, would I trim the cdc to the proper size?

 

[mcswny]

I was worried about the softness of it. Well…..until I can find a decent cape, I’ll give these a try this weekend. Does floatant help?

Everyone is going to tell you to never by a dryfly cape sight unseen (or any natural materials for that matter). But for me, it’s my local shops almost never have whiting capes in stock (were anadromous country after all). If you order online, at least order from a site that shows you the exact cape or saddle your ordering.

 

[TicTokCroc]

Floatant wouldn't hurt. Since a picture is worth a 1000 words, here's kinda what I'm talking about with cdc or foam, except I would put some buggy dubbing around the base of the foam wing.




Lots of ways to float a tiny fly without tiny hackle.

*don't put floatant on cdc.

 

[RCF]

At size 22, how much does a hackle really matter? I believe it is more about shape, color, proportions. Ostrich should be all you need IMHO.

 

[Cabezon]

A fly that small does not have much weight, especially with a light wire hook. Therefore, it doesn't take much of an increase in surface area, which is what the cdc or snowshoe hair provide, to keep the fly floating. You can false cast or use fly drying powder once the fly gets dunked.
Steve

 

[Zak]

I was worried about the softness of it. Well…..until I can find a decent cape, I’ll give these a try this weekend. Does floatant help?

I bet frog's fanny would float those fine.

Edit: I think they'd also fish well in the film or subsurface, like a Stewart's Black Spider.

 

[Bambooflyguy]

Fish them Mark!

 

[flybill]

Everyone is going to tell you to never by a dryfly cape sight unseen (or any natural materials for that matter). But for me, it’s my local shops almost never have whiting capes in stock (were anadromous country after all). If you order online, at least order from a site that shows you the exact cape or saddle your ordering.

I have a few shops that will order a couple and let me choose if they don't have it in stock.. only works if you're not in a hurry though. Some materials you do want to pick in person.. I would argue that most you do unless it a synthetic material..

 

[albula]

What color you need? I am quite certain I have some that I will never use. And no ostrich is not a suitable sub for a dry.

 

[Kado]

Thanks for input everyone. I have no choice but to try these as a buddy and I will try and hit a couple streams around Bend this weekend. Ill let you know how it goes.

 

[Norm Frechette]

hackle tops

 

[Westcoast]

Everyone is going to tell you to never by a dryfly cape sight unseen (or any natural materials for that matter). But for me, it’s my local shops almost never have whiting capes in stock (were anadromous country after all). If you order online, at least order from a site that shows you the exact cape or saddle your ordering.

The quality of the capes and saddles these days is outstanding. Whiting has good descriptions on the sizes of hackle that are available on the different grades. I have no problem buying them online anymore.

 

[Kado]

hackle tops

View attachment 93896

Where do you get those?