day5 0 Report post Posted January 16, 2006 I sort of asked this question in the lodge but I thought Id change it a bit and ask it here. I know what im looking for when I select a package of feathers but I often wonder since I am self taught am I makeing good choices on materials. I use different feather for different applicationss I like less weby feather for buggers and weby feathers for leg hackle. Or soft hackle for hex legs and lot of barbs on a saddle for a bugger. So with thoes two defined what do you look for in a patch of soft hackles and also in saddles?? How do you choose your feathers. Im pretty pickey Ill open every package and lay out the ones I like. I look for lenght stem thickness web/barbs color/shine, and quantity. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Redwings1 0 Report post Posted January 16, 2006 Start with the obvious thing...desired color and no feather damage. I then look for length and range of sizes...if there aren't a significant number of 16 - 22 feathers then it will not be very useful to me as that is the most common sizes that I tie. I understand that hackle should be stiff, but I do not like it to be too stiff...just a personal preference as I think when the barbules are too stiff the fly doesn't ride right in the water. I also look at the quills, the smaller the quills the better for me as the fly will be more flexible for wrapping on the hook shank. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
