The types of cape which you will come across are cock and hen capes from domestic poultry.
Hen capes are smaller and softer with denser fibres , and are usually used for wet flies , nymphs and lures. The hackle fibres are more mobile in the water. They can be wrapped around the hook in the conventional way or bearded , sometimes referred to as a false hackle.
Cock capes are larger and the hackles much stiffer and shiny. Occasionally you will come across a cock cape which is softer and duller , usually a lower grade cape , these are known as henny capes. These are very useful for lures or palmered patterns which need to be longer and give some kick to the lure. Cock capes are used mainly for dry flies , the stiffer fibres make the fly float better and are wound round the hook more times. Matching fibres can be used for the tail of the fly.
The standard capes are usually available in a wide range of natural and dyed colours. They are graded , number one being the best , and most expensive. These are not necessary until you become proficient , ( and have a big fat wallet ). Lower grades catch just as many fish. Most of these capes are now imported from India and China.
There are ranges of capes which are from poultry specially bred in the United Kingdom, just for their feathers. The range of Metz capes is probably the best known. These have nice long hackles and are great to work with but are expensive. They are used mainly for dry flies. You should get more than one fly per hackle.
Hackles for north country spider patterns are usually from wild birds , many of which are now more difficult to obtain. Partridge hackles , brown and grey , are probably the best known and dye well. Others to look out for are woodcock , snipe , moorhen , cock and hen pheasants. If you know any shooting people ask for their help as many of them fish as well. If they do a lot of wildfowling , ( shooting ducks and geese ) they could help to get you CDC , teal flank and bronze mallard flank ………. all very useful. This range in itself would be an interesting lesson to put together.
Once you start collecting fly tying materials no walk along the river , or lakeside will ever be the same again. You will find yourself gathering feathers and anything else which ‘ just might be useful’ . On a recent trip my colleague could not believe I was collecting sheep’s wool off the barbed wire. Now that it has been washed in detergent in boiling water it will be dyed.
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Hi Dave, great article, been tying lots of cormorants, dancers and competition cats, when are you likely to start making the videos again, I’m ssure many people will be happy when they see you back, the good thing I’ve found with your videos than anyone else is that you ain’t the “worlds best fly tyer” but i’s your down to earth style and your excellent teachings, you are s0 relaxed at the vice and probably like myself enter your own little world of fly tyin, thinking to yourself ” This fly here is going to catch me a double figure fish, bu unlike other people who race through he fly your slower and give amateurs a chance to listen to how to fish he fly, the history of it and hat’s what makes your videos special.
P.S. I have a request, could you tie the Carron cat or the competition cat, was catching at the lake of menteith last year so I need a few of those for the coming season.
P.S.S. Could you recommend a vice under £30 to buy, I like the look of the regent vice but I’d like a wee bit of opinion off of you!
Tight lines and lets hope you can get back online!
Hey Dave! I’ve been watching and reading your information for the last 24 hours it feels. I have learned a lot from you and wanted to thank you for that! Also, I am from the Midwest US and hunt often… I am new at tying and hoping to use the birds I hunt for the flies I fish with. How would I clean/sterilize the feathers? Any recommendations?
Thank You for everything you do!
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