What is the difference between Saddle Schlappen and hackle?

Strung Hackle feathers are sorted, washed and dyed which are then strung together and sold by the ounce. Mostly these are long saddle feathers. Schlappen is the center section of the saddle piece or the tail feathers.

What is a hackle feather?

A chicken’s hackle feathers are the feathers around the neck. These feathers can sometimes be showy in roosters. People that “fly tie” (for trout fishing) usually use long, slender hackle feathers from a rooster. Hackles are actually differently shaped in hens and roosters. Rooster hackles are longer and pointier.

What is Schlappin?

In case you are not already familiar with these feathers, I would describe Schlappen as the softest, dullest feathers found near the base of the rooster’s tail and these lay between the saddle feathers on the rooster’s back and the long tail feathers.

How do you pick a hackle feather?

Selecting genetic hackle

  1. Do the lip test if you like stiff barbs.
  2. Check consistency of colour throughout the feather.
  3. Check for consistency throughout the cape.
  4. Bend the feather and find the “sweet spot” The sweet spot is the point where there is a differential between the stiffness of the feather.

What feathers are used for fly tying?

Below is a general guide on common feathers used in fly tying like: CDC, turkey biots, wood duck, quills, peacock herl, pheasant tails, and so on.

Do hens have hackle feathers?

Hackle feathers are found on the neck, in roosters they are also elongated and pointy. Hens also have hackle feathers but they will be more rounded at the ends.

What is a hackle used for?

A hackle is a metal plate with rows of pointed needles used to blend or straighten hair (or flax, for which see heckling comb).

What is the difference between a cape and saddle hackle?

The biggest difference is in the length of the feather and the variety of sizes you can get out of a particular saddle or cape. Capes are a lot shorter in length, so two feathers are often required to get the full effect of the hackle.

What kind of hackle is good for dry flies?

Whiting Hackle – Whiting Farms. The ultimate dry fly cape or saddle! The Whiting line has the stiffest, most dense hackle for tying the best floating dry flies in the world.