Guest Report post Posted October 14, 2003 I've been looking at alot of steelhead patterns lately and most of them have really long hackle fibers compared to the saddle hackle that I use on most of my bass patterns. Can anyone clue me in into what type of hackle is used for these flies. Here's an example: Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Report post Posted October 14, 2003 Looks soft, like a hen hackle. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Report post Posted October 15, 2003 Looks like Schlappen. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Report post Posted October 15, 2003 Could be that too. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Report post Posted October 17, 2003 My guess would be schlappen too. But normally most aren't that long of throats/collars on the flies. Not normally that is. Most "traditional" would be tied a bit shorter. Most "spey" style have the longer flowing throats like that one. I'd say it's more of an atlantic salmon knockoff then what we steelheaders would call a "steelhead" hackle. Normally, I don't use bigger hackle, except on my 1/0+ hooks for OlyPen steelhead. but a nice fly. Reminds me of an Atlantic Salmon fly I saw in the UK. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Report post Posted October 17, 2003 Steelhead69, What type of hackle would you recommend for most of the collars on your steelhead flies like a Purple Peril or a similar pattern? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Report post Posted October 17, 2003 I mostly use saddle hackle for most of my applications. Plus, you have to decide if you want more of a collar or a throat. Usually, I go more for the collar effect on my steelhead flies. Like I said, rarely go that long except on spey/atlantic type flies, or spiders. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Report post Posted October 20, 2003 I want to weigh in on the "what would you recommend..." I will, generally, vary my collar hackle depending on hook size. i.e., Purple Peril: McLeod's 1930's pattern description isn't specific, from what I remember. So, I will use schlappen on larger sizes, saddles on smaller. The last Purple Peril I tied was for display and donation. I used a very nice dyed hen saddle. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Report post Posted October 20, 2003 Thanks guys for all your advise. I'm slowly getting better and learning alot of little tips from you guys. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Houdini 0 Report post Posted October 20, 2003 I've been using some dyed long goat hair for collars that I got from Chris Helm. It's nice and soft and plenty long enough. Comes in nice bright colors too. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Report post Posted October 21, 2003 Dfix, I should've clarified on that one. Normally, most of my "commercial" flies are tied on size 2 and under. Only some of my OlyPen customers use 1/0 up flies. So a saddle hackle will be more then enough collar for the fly. I have tied quite a few large donation flies too (up to size 5/0) and I agree, schlappen does work better for those flies. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Report post Posted October 21, 2003 Steelie, no argument from me - I don't tie comm., but wanted to clarify what I do - strictly proportional, just like you suggest. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites