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BassMouth87

Collins Hackle Farm

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Here is some of what I have been up to with the hackle over the past two days. I am still learning to tie dries well so excuse the small imperfections, proportions being off etc. I bet they will be some good fishing flies.

 

post-45233-0-42863700-1377614988_thumb.jpg

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I'm new to fly tying. I have only used hackle so far for my buggers. I want to start tying some different flies. What would be a good all around selection to start with?

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Dry flies: If you're going to tie Catskill dries (the mayflies like Hendrickson, etc.), I'd start with these four colors in capes or dry fly saddles:

Dun, Coachman Brown, Cream (white will work), Grizzly

 

These are also OK for palmer hackling Elk Hair Caddis and all those sorts of patterns - in all the above 4 will get you 90% of dry fly patterns.

Next on my list would be ginger or barred ginger, black (for ant patterns, and dark caddis).

 

Next you might pick up some Indan cape silver badger or golden badger - can be used on dries, and also for small streamer wings.

 

For wets, soft hackle flies, and legs on nymphs: pick up some mottled brown hen and a Hungarian Partridge skin

 

After that you have spent all your money and are hopelessly down the road to ruin in this hobby...

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After that you have spent all your money and are hopelessly down the road to ruin in this hobby...

Thanks for the advice, and warning...

 

 

Good thing my wife doesn't frequent my favorite sites innocent.gif

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I just received a sample from them today( if you send them a self addressed stamped envelope they will send you free samples) and it is beautiful stuff. It definetly compares with whiting and Metz. IMO. They sent about as much as you would get in a 100 pack ( maybe a little less) but assorted sizes and colors. Only thing is it doesn't tell me grades or colors. But I will definetly be ordering from them now. $30 plus shipping for grade 3 cape and saddle, SOLD!

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For those who have purchased dry fly capes from Collins, what are the fly size ranges and "sweet spot" in ranges in the 3 grades he offers?

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Commercial grade: from #10 down to #18, with a few (~20) at #20 and #22. Anyone tying smaller than that is either under 40 or has a microscope at their bench.

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Collins Hackle can absolutely hold its own with Whiting and Metz. [snip]

For capes perhaps, but not across the board. Haven't seen anyone come close to the Whiting midge saddles, for example. Furthermore, I'm not sure that I'd ever put Metz up againd Whiting to begin with...but that's a different thread.

 

Still, those are nice enough looking capes that I might have to order a couple, although I much prefer saddles for most of my tying.

 

Thanks for the review, OP.

I wholeheartedly agree. Whiting is on an island all on it's own right now.

 

One thing to consider... Whiting is much more expensive, but you get more than double the amount of useable feathers (sweet spot) in a wide range of sizes. I recently got a new bronze Whiting grizzly cape from my local fly shop ($60), and I was able to tie legit #32 para adams all the way to a #10. This cape will probably last me 5 or 6 years (I tie a LOT). That is worth the investment to me.

To revise my former statement: I think Collins can hold its own against any of the "big-name" growers when matching product-for-product: for example a grade 1 Collins cape vs a cape from another grower of the same grade. Collins doesn't offer any such speciality product as a midge saddle, to my knowledge, so there is no basis for comparison there.

 

I would agree that my statement probably is more true of Collins capes than saddles in general. I don't know much at all about how the birds are bred, but it seems to me that Collins focuses more on producing high quality capes rather than saddles. I assume that's why they throw the saddle in for free when you buy a cape. The saddles are good quality, but I agree they are not Whiting quality.

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For those who have purchased dry fly capes from Collins, what are the fly size ranges and "sweet spot" in ranges in the 3 grades he offers?

The sweet spot varies from cape to cape. Generally, it will be either a 12 or a 14. Occasionally it might be a 16, but Charlie isn't really trying to breed midge capes. All capes tie all sizes, from 8 to 22 regardless of grade. The grade has more to do with the thickness and volume of usable feathers. Just as some people have less hair on their heads, some chickens have fewer feathers.

 

Also, Collin's barred capes are his best. Solid color chickens tend to have fewer feathers and thicker stems. The barred capes have thin stems and rival any on the market. Some of the competition tiers rate Collin's barred hackles as the best available. Try a barred ginger or barred dun instead of the solid colors. I think you'll like the results.

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Hi Guys

Does anybody have an e-mail address for Collins Hackle.

I am from South Africa and would like to try his hackle in my factory.

I know the website says that they do not doe emails. If I have to phone it will be around 23h00 here in South Africa.

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Hi Guys

Does anybody have an e-mail address for Collins Hackle.

I am from South Africa and would like to try his hackle in my factory.

I know the website says that they do not doe emails. If I have to phone it will be around 23h00 here in South Africa.

I believe you do have to call.

You can find some of his hackles other places if you don´t want to call :)

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Charlie doesn't do email, but he does respond via snail mail. His address is:

Collins Hackle Farm
436 Kinner Hill Rd
Pine City, NY 14871

 

You probably already have the phone number, but if not, Phone: (607)734-1765

 

His WEB site, collinshacklefarm.com does list a few retail dealers for his feathers, but there's no need to involve a middleman.

 

No financial interest, etc., etc. He's just a good guy, and he's always treated me right.

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