Howard's Hackle

[sirocco]

Hi Guys,

 

I'm interested to know if you would recommend this hackle. I'm planning to get the brown hen cape (the one for dry flies?)

 

Thanks!

 

Erik

[admin]

I've got a couple #3 capes and they are pretty good fro dry flies. He'll likely be at the show in january, it might be a good time to pick some up there. He has some nice cree stock as well.

[Inconnu]

I use a lot of his saddles and a couple of capes. I think the quality is great. Pacres is right, if you can wait until the show it might be beneficial....Kerry

[sirocco]

Thanks for replies. Unfortunately I don't think I can hold off till the show! I'll definitely give them a try.

[admin]

You might want a rooster cape rather than a hen cape for dries. Either, way, They are good quality hackles, and well worth the price IMHO.

[sirocco]

Yeah I was going to mention later on, after I did some research, that I meant rooster and not hen, but I knew you guys knew what I meant

 

As an aside, what is the difference between the different grades of hackle? Is it simply that #1 Grade has more than #3 for example, and thus gives you more flies per cape, or is there actually a quality difference in the hackle itself?

[Guest bigbadbrent]

All about quality, and consistency of that quality

[126barnes]

Yeah I was going to mention later on, after I did some research, that I meant rooster and not hen, but I knew you guys knew what I meant

 

As an aside, what is the difference between the different grades of hackle? Is it simply that #1 Grade has more than #3 for example, and thus gives you more flies per cape, or is there actually a quality difference in the hackle itself?

 

 

Howard Hackle has an email addy on their site, email them and a very detailed response of what you can expect from each of their products should follow. Sorry but I can't seem to find the email he sent me.

[admin]

Generally speaking, the higher the grade, the higher the feather counts and quality of the hide. Whiting grades their capes and saddles into Pro, #3(bronze), #2(silver), #1(Gold), Platinum and an XXPlatinum something or other of which only 20-40 pelts make it into every year (and they retail for around 300$)

 

Howard just has the 3 grades. The bronze capes are pretty good and the #1 are awesome. The Saddles are nice as well, but I would buy at least a number 2 saddle if you are tying dries. His stock has come a long way in a short time, and he's figuring out how the breed the birds better.

[rhuseby]

I have bought a couple of capes from him at the show the last two years. The quality is good, on the #2 capes I've bought, and my only concern is that the feather count is relatively low, compared to a Metz or Whiting. However, work in the price difference and things are pretty reasonable. I'll be buying more this year.