What kind of hackle for Popper tails/skirts?

[Bubba_Da_Man 0]

I am fairly new to fly tying and would like to start tying some cork/foam bodied bass poppers. I'm just wondering what type of hackle to use for the tails/skirts. I've been looking at the Whiting American hackles, but do I use the Hen hackle or Rooster hackle? And do I use capes or saddles?

[Stippled Popper 0]

Any or all of the above mentioned. . . depending on the look you are after. I doubt it will

matter to the fish on to your catch as long as the proportions are close. Too long a tail

can result in short strikes for the smaller fish. But they are likely not your target.

[perchjerker 0]

Stippled popper left out only one thing in his answer! Otherwise, he is dead on! What he left out is, IMHO, quite critical: Buy cheap saddles and necks or use strung hackle. FORGET the genetic stuff! Most all shops carry Bass or Salt water capes and saddles for a fraction of the price of a genetic equivalent. This is what you want.

[Peterjay 0]

Yeah what Frank said. Strung neck hackle is cheap and if you tie them curving out, you'll get a nice action like a frog kicking. Also, the stems are usually good and stiff, which prevents fouling. Buying the expensive stuff that the trout guys use is unnecessary. One of the advantages that warmwater (and saltwater) tyers have is that we can get a lot more bang for the buck by using the cheap stuff.

[flytire 0]

i just bought 4 saltwater capes to use on my poppers

 

 

[tidewaterfly 0]

For myself, I've come to prefer strung rooster neck hackle, and tied them splayed out. I like the profile & movement that it gives a popper or slider. Strung hackle, as the others have said, is probably the least expensive you will find, they will also have mostly usable feathers. Sometimes you'll find loose feathers, but in my experience, you'll often get much more damaged feathers than you will with strung.

 

Also, if you use saddles, they're usually not as stiff in the stem as neck hackle, and if you tie them in too long, they will often foul around the hook. Just something to consider.

[onceahoosier 0]

I have a lot of different hackle, but I like rooster capes the best for my poppers and divers. I have Whiting's in several colors, I paid $20-25 each for them. They are great, but I agree, a lot of different feathers will work.

 

Tom

[Stippled Popper 0]

I would expect few tiers have a full service fly shop's worth of inventory on hand. So

we use what we have on hand. This would tend to be especially true for someone new

to tying poppers. If it turns out to be a serious interest, the ideas above as to the specific

feather types to stock up on are spot on.

 

Deer hair, Buck tails, artificial fibers, estaz, flashabou, krystal flash, marabou, and different

types of rubber legs are also used on tails alone and in combination with hackle.

[Phish 0]

I just use whatever I have but I am a sucker to using Dyed white laced hens tho. These make the most prettest poppers so that what I normally use.

[Bubba_Da_Man 0]

Thanks everyone! I think I'm going to go with some saltwater neck hackle because, after looking online, it is WAY cheaper than the genetic hackle.

[David Romanillos 0]

Hello, I normally use spanish or american saddles in different colours