saddle feathers for soft hackle ties?

[SurfnFish]

hackle recommendations for soft hackle patterns using longer feathers?
thnx!

 

[mcswny]

hackle recommendations for soft hackle patterns using longer feathers?
thnx!

Whiting red label hen saddles

 

[Flymph]

Whiting Soft Hackle with Chickabou | Soft Hackle with Chickabou | Soft Hackle

At Feather Emporium you find the greatest selection of Whiting Soft Hackle with Chickabou - we have them in stock for quick delivery. Free Shipping

www.featheremporium.com

Lots of choices here; Check out the Brahma Hen!!!!

 

[SculpinSwinger]

Another fan of Soft Hackle with Chickabou, especially the Coq De Leon!
One ginger speckled


One dyed olive speckled

 

[Dave Boyle]

Indian hen capes are cheap and good for 6 and up.

Dave

 

[Flymph]

You can actually pull those Indian hen cape feathers forward on smaller hooks.

 

[Zak]

I have a furnace (black with firey brown edges) "bugger pack" with several patches of long feathers. They make great throats and reasonable soft hackles.

 

[Tom Butler]

I have more dry saddles than I'll ever use, and with the colors I'll want. I run my scissor edge down the feather against the grain, then stroke down with my fingers. The barbs will still be stiff, but they will wiggle well and can be stroked back after wrapping to good effect. Seems to work and catch fish.

 

[troutpocket]

+1 for Whiting soft hackle with chickaboo. Also dyed Pheasant rump patches work well.

 

[Zak]

I use this cape for soft hackles. Especially the Greenwells Glory.

 

[Norm Frechette]

whiting american hen cape and saddle

 

[SurfnFish]

great stuff - many thnx!

 

[Eastside]

Hungarian partridge feathers as well. I have a good supply from my days of upland bird hunting.

 

[Draketake]

@Eastside info is dead on...add in Chukars to the mix.

@Tom Butler idea is spot on too.

Lastly check out Tim Flaglers' (who is a treasure trove of knowledge/skill), video on You Tube, entitled " Using Large Feathers On Small Soft Hackles". This method makes good use of Feathers you may already have. This technique can actually be applied to large hackled flies for steelhead/salmon/bass etc.

Have fun.

Bob

 

[Scottp]

I have more dry saddles than I'll ever use, and with the colors I'll want. I run my scissor edge down the feather against the grain, then stroke down with my fingers. The barbs will still be stiff, but they will wiggle well and can be stroked back after wrapping to good effect. Seems to work and catch fish.

Best saddles for that I’ve found for this application are #3s from Charlie Collins (you can either buy them separate or get them as a bonus when you buy his capes). The saddles have some decent feathers for dries but I really like the webby ones for wets, streamers and nymphs; nice selection of colors, too.

Regards,
Scott