Lesser Known Hackle Growers?

[Cold 0]

I have a few Collins hackles. I don't think his Grade 2 and 3 can be beat in terms of Bang-for-Buck, but the barb density and stiffness is not Whiting-level, which I consider to be the gold standard for dry hackles.

 

Do they work? Sure, and the stems are more pliable, but those barbs are thinner and more delicate/less stiff than a comparable whiting feather.

 

Still, without a whiting feather to compare them to, they are indeed excellent hackle...heck, even with Whiting in the picture, they're excellent hackle. In larger sizes (10-14) they're roughly equal, all things considered, but for the smaller sizes, hook space for wraps becomes the limiting factor, and that's where I'll take the barb density and stiffness of a Whiting feather.

 

Of course, there's also the matter of the "free" saddle included with every cape. I put free in quotes because it's certainly built into the price of the hackle, but it doesn't change the fact that it increases the value of the overall purchase considerably. It's important to note that if you're buying a dyed cape, the saddle will not have the matching dye job, but will rather be the natural color of the bird. The saddles are remarkably good looking, but aren't what I'd call dry fly feathers at all. Sure, you can put them on a dry fly, but for me, they're popper, bugger, and streamer hackles.

 

Also of note: the coloration and patterning on Collins feathers are more in the "natural/mottled/drab" color palette as opposed to the bright, vibrant, bold whiting dye jobs. To me, this is a difference, but not necessarily a pro or a con. Just something that a prospective buyer might care about.

[Bryon Anderson 0]

I buy exclusively from Charlie Collins now, have for years and I'll tell you why. He is an excellent grower and his chickens are the highest quality AND the hackles have more "life" in them and look more "Buggy" than anyone else. Plus, when you buy a hackle neck he also gives you the whole saddle. How many other growers do that?? His birds lineage come from the core growers in the Catskills, Darbee, Bittner, Miner, etc. That is why the Catskill tyers buy his hackle. They are the real deal.

 

He is really only well known among the Catskill crowd and his hackles really make dry flies and wet flies come alive. His prices are competitive and he's a one man operation.

 

Here's his web site:

http://www.collinshacklefarm.com/

 

Unless you've seen dry flies tied with his hackles it really is hard to explain how alive they look on the water. They are a distinct break from what we tie 99.99% of our flies with for the past years. This is the hackle of yesteryear with the qualities of modern hackles (i.e. high bard count, longer than the old stuff, more flexible and forgiving, etc). He will also get you what you need, meaning, if you need to tie special flies tell him what it is and he will match. I cannot recommend them more highly.

+1 on Collins Hackle Farm--I've bought all my capes and saddles from him for the last 15 years or so. Price, quality, customer service--unbeatable all around for my money.

[cheech 0]

Of the "smaller" growers, Collins is definitely the best. As far as bang for you buck, Whiting is still far superior to all other brands. The key thing is to focus on the "bang" part of that saying.

[cheech 0]

another duplicate

 

[cheech 0]

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[Meeshka 0]

I agree with NoSlack,

I'm very happy with Howard Hackle from Alberta Canada, and have bought several capes, including the Cree.

[m_grieb 0]

So you would be able to tie large number of the same size of fly with Collins hackle?