Hackle feathers are some of the most widely used materials in fly tying, and also some of the most expensive materials as well. In fact some high quality saddles can go for well over $100, and Ive seen some even much much more.

Being so widely used, you would think that there would be a lot of info out there on what types of feathers to use and when. And while there is some info, I find a lot of fly patterns call for "saddle" or "Cape" but fail to explain what kind of saddle or cape. In this video I will explain what types of feathers are used for what, and show them so you can get a good idea of what style of feather comes from different bird breeds.

When I first started out fly tying I remember being very confused on the difference between saddles and capes, and how not all saddles and capes were created equal. I would watch a fly tying video or read a pattern recipe in a book and they would call for a saddle feather. I would go into my local fly shop and ask for a saddle feather, and they would as what kind? After looking like a big dummy trying to explain, I finally had to just show them the pattern im trying to tie and have them help select a saddle. And as we all know, sometimes local fly shops are limited and Id have to buy online for a specific color or size range. And then I was lost, buying the wrong thing, and finding out I wasted lots of money on a dry fly saddle that wouldn't work on a saltwater collar. (Yes that was overly specific, almost like its a true story that happened to me.... ).

I want to tell everyone I am sorry for giving some false information in this video, it has come to my knowledge from a kind commenter that the "capes" come from the back of the bird and not the chest. As I said in the video I am not well versed in how these are harvested. Either way, no matter where it comes from, the info provided on what types of feathers and what they are called is accurate.

Anyway, I hope this video helps those of you who are new into tying figure out what the difference between feathers are, and help understand terminology and get an understanding of different bird breeds and what they are used for.

0:00 Introduction
2:31 Dry Fly - Saddle vs Cape
14:53 Stiff Streamer and Collar Feathers
25:33 Soft Hackle
40:57 Other Types of Feathers


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