Hopefully someone can advise on this - What are the best type of Cock Hackles to buy for tying small Dries - size 18 to 20 ?
Should I buy a Neck Cape or a Micro Barb Saddle ?
Saddles gives you more flies of a particular size than capes. Capes give you more sizes.
I have Whiting's "Silver Rooster Saddle", Midge sizes. Whiting's do state hook sizes, 16 to 18 and such. The one I've got is suitable for 22 to 24.
Would be great if size is right.
Just been talking to a friend and he thinks the Galway Fly Fishing Fair may go ahead this year .
I would pick up something there if its on.
I have drifted away from hackled dry flies because I have found they are harder to revive after a fish than cdc or deer hair. I also have found died hackle to be considerably less floatable than natural. The best results I've had have been from a grizzly cape - a good all round feather.
I have a died saddle in a lovely blue dun colour ideal for 18s, but the flies sink too quickly.
Call Lakeland, tell him the size and colour and he ll get you the right pack of flies.
I no longer buy full or half saddles. Much better to buy a pack of a dozen feathers (which typically allows for about a 100 flies) so you can always get the size and colour you need.
If you are tying plenty of different sizes, then the cape is the best job, they are also a bit cheaper. If you are focusing on just tying loads and loads in a narrow band of sizes say 18-20 then a saddle will be best.
That being said, I don't go through a huge amount of flies and fish mainly 16-20 with the odd 14 for use in dry dropper. I got a couple of capes at the Galway show a few years ago and I have barely made a dent in them.
You could try Nature's spirit Dry fly cape tops, sizes 14-24 amongst others. Various colours and not the expense of a full cape. Think I got them from Funkyflytying. Good quality.
All depends what you want to spend.I have a few pro midge capes.Good for the likes of griffiths gnats.One of my favourite type dry flies is a polypropylene wing emerger with a few turns of hackle clipped on the underside.With this style of fly.I sometimes even split my thread & inserted oversized cheap hackle.Basicaly making small flies from big hackle.Love this type fly for dry dropper.For just dry fly i use ones that are sparser in the wing.They float great with little maintenance required.
Appreciate all the comments Lads.
I now know what I need and where to get it. I'll probably bite the bullet and get the Pro Grade Midge Saddle from Clonanav here in Ireland . Buying stuff from the UK is just as expensive these days.
Thanks again.
Ian
I have decided to drive up to Pat Nolan's, Premier Angling on Monday.
If I'm going to spend money on 2 expensive Saddles then I suppose I'd be better off having a look at them .
I need a few more bits and pieces for an upcoming fishing trip so might as well get them all on Monday.
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