New Tyer With Questions

[Jdecoudres]

Was wondering how to measure hackles with the hook size? Another question there is so many different feathers and hackles used for certain things. Is there any good websites to learn the difference. I got alot of hackle and feathers but when i receipe calls for a certain one I go to my stash and then im lost cause not sure what im looking for? Thanks

[Danoinark]

You can get an inexpensive hackle gauge. But absent of that, I just fold the hackle to where the fibers measure the size of the hook gap and use that as my standard. I assume what you are confused about is whether you are using a dry fly hackle or something appropriate for wet flys and or soft hackle flys. A good rule of thumb is that dry fly hackles will be stiffer, and just the opposite for a wet fly (soft hackle), they are soft and subtle.

Dano

[Rainbow McCloud]

I don't have any websites to offer, but the basic differences in hackles are the length and stiffness of the fibers along the stem. Like Danoinark said, the stiffer ones are used to float dry flies, and the softer, webbier ones are used on wet flies. You can get some of both on a good neck, with the highest grade/most expensive having a broad range of dry fly hackles from very tiny to mid-sized. Saddles come from farther back on the rooster and don't have the short stiff hackles for dry flies but have lots of the softer ones for wets such as wooly buggers, etc. If you're looking to tie something specific let us know and we can help.

[Danoinark]

This is probably the best tying site for all levels.

http://www.flytyingforum.com/

[mic]

Here is the Wapsi catalog. It has pics and names, and it help me over the winter while I was learning.

http://www.flipdocs....10004505_770045

Here are a couple more of my favorites from when I started:

http://www.danica.com/FLYTIER/

http://kwsu.org/offers/FlyTying.aspx

Welcome to the club.

[Wayne SW/MO]

As far as hackle goes, assuming they are American, a saddle is more webby and soft and the choice for wets. Neck hackles should be stiffer and best used for drys. There are exceptions, but don't worry about them. If it is called a hen neck or saddle, the feathers will be wider and more rounded and suitable for wets, at best.

I'm talking chicken feathers above, there are other feathers, but they are generally used specific to a particular pattern.

[flytyer57]

Here is some info on choosing hackles for flys.

HACKLE SELECTION PAGE

Singlebarbed.com

Learn Fly Tying

[Jdecoudres]

Thanks guys for the help. so what is it hen neck that is used to get the Metz brown/furnace hackle that the crackle back recipe calls for?

[Danoinark]

Any dry fly hackle in brown and or furnace will work. Don't get to tied in to specific colors, anything close works just as well.

[flytyer57]

For dry flies you want to use rooster neck or saddle hackles.

Hen hackles are usually too webby for dry flies.

Basic rule of thumb-

Dry Fly: rooster hackle.

Wet Fly: hen hackle.