Hackles

[Pete]

John

Thanks very much for the photos and explanations, they really are useful and clear as Gav has already said.  It is much appreciated.

Pete

[Runarsson]

Maybe a little late response, but better a tip too many than one too few...

Take a look at this page for usage of "poor" hackles and a checklist when selecting a cape/saddle:
http://globalflyfisher.com/tiebetter/hackles/picking.html

... and here's an interesting article about the evolution in hackles:
http://flyfisherman.com/ftb/sshackle/

/Nick

[Runarsson]

What is the main difference with the neck capes ?   :?

John's very informative post says a lot about differences, and since he also had some good pictures there I would like to add something... as one of them showed a very good example:

A big difference between "cheapo" capes and genetic capes (besides length, amount, stiffness and all that which has already been mentioned) is the amount of 'BARBICELS'. Barbicels are the velcro like "hooks" which hold the feather barbs together on a normal feather. On a cock hackle feather they don't AS MUCH though, but they are still there in the form of something that I would describe as something looking more like a layer of dust. It can easily be seen as the darker part of the feather closest to the stem. You will find more of these on a feather from the "cheapo" cape than on a feather from the genetic cape... and you will see it clearly on John's picture no:2 (below). Take a look at the third feather ("cheapo"). You have a darker brown area between the tips of the barbs and the feather stem. It gets narrower and narrower the closer to the feather tip you come, but it still reaches almost all the way up to the feather tip.
On the second feather (genetic) though, this darker looking area has almost disappeared already by half the length of the feather. To a dry fly, the LESS of these barbicels the better... as they hold water and will not do the fly any favours in keeping it on the surface.

/Nick

Edit: Of course, when I refer to another post's picture, my post just CAN'T be put on the same page. :?
So, here is John's picture from the previous page to make it easier. (John: I never asked you if I could use it in my post. Tell me and I will take it away.)

[Fishtales]

I came across this Gav and thought it might help

http://www.herewardbooks.co.uk/books/detail/7840.htm

[johnsd]

if your no fast yer last  back to ebay :lol: