Brewer 0 Report post Posted September 26, 2005 im having the hardest time with a hen cape, i picked it up in the spring, and it was great, really nice hackle. i havnt used it for a while, it was kept in my bench, in a ziplock. so i picked it up to tie up some nymphs, selected my hackles, but when i went to tie on, the stem just breaks...on all of them, ive gone through about 20 hackles, and havnt finished 1 nymph ???, any ideas on what happened ?? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CapeBSalar 0 Report post Posted September 26, 2005 Gees Brewer, that sounds strange....was there any moisture in the bag? what brand of cape is it? Whiting? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
munky 0 Report post Posted September 26, 2005 Hey Brewer, try starting a little lower on the feather. I have been using some Indian Hen back with some beautiful mottled feathers and if I tie in too close to the tip, I run into problems. Also make sure you store it in a ziplock. The moisture loss can also make the feathers brittle. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brewer 0 Report post Posted September 27, 2005 disregard, new hackle pliers, if i start winding the hackle with my fingers, then apply the pliers, works every time.......i never claimed to be bright :wallbash: Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JarrodRuggles 0 Report post Posted September 27, 2005 if you have problems with materials drying out (herl, hackle whatever) then you can soak them in water for a while Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Termite 0 Report post Posted November 26, 2005 All hackle can and will dry out over time. It even happens on the live birds, at the end of the summer when they are getting ready to molt you can see the feathers breaking and splitting on some birds. The smaller the stem the more of a problem it can be. Soaking is a good way to re-hydrate them but you can also steam them with a tea pot on the stove...BE CAUTIOUS! YOU CAN GET BURNED! ALWAYS WEAR OVEN MITTS OR OTHER PROTECTION WHEN STEAMING FEATHERS. Mark Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites