If someone asked my what the best all around hackle for sakasa kebari, I would answer (without hesitation) that it’s brahma hen cape from Whiting Farms. Here’s why…
Two Hackles for one
I think probably the main reason I think this is such great hackle is that every cape really gives you 2 distinctly different types of feathers: One with a dark center and light tips, and one that is more mottled. In fact, many people use the mottled feathers as a substitute for partridge.
Here are two flies, one tied with the dark center feather (right) and one with the more mottled feather (left).
High Quality at a Low Price
Unlike India hen, brahma hen is a much better quality. The feathers are easy to wrap and the fibers don’t clump together like India hen. Plus, the fibers give excellent movement in the water. You can buy a cape that will probably last you a lifetime for about $12. This allows beginning fly tiers to get a variety of colors without a huge initial upfront investment. And because of the high quality, more of the feathers are useable making these capes even more economical.
Good choice of colors
Whiting farms offers a good choice of both natural and dyed colors so you can probably find exactly what you want, even if you’re a picky tier like me.
So, if you’re in the market for a great all around hackle for tenkara flies, you should check out these capes. They offer a rare combination of quality and versatility at a great price.
Those are nice hackles. My favorite thought are hungarian partridge. They come loose in bags and they are really cheap. they are nice and soft and sometimes I’ll put the fluff from the butt of the feathers in a dubbing loop and it makes a cool hackle kind of like CDC.
Jason, you read my mind. It’s cool to be able to piggyback off the research of someone who has tried every conceivable kind of wet fly hackle. Can’t wait to get one of these capes and start tying.
Hey Alex, I think you’ll be impressed by how good these really are for the price. Years ago, I thought I was getting a deal on India hen but so many of the feathers were useless that they ended up being a waste of money.
Jason, you’ve got me in a material buying mood! Time to surf around and order some new hooks and materials.
I’m definitely going to look into those. Thus far finding hen pelts is hit-or-miss. Starling is the right size flies size 14 and under, and especially for 18s and 20s — plus it has that amazing irridescence. Just today at my fly shop on Long Island, I picked up something called moor hen wings — dark smokey gray, very soft, and look to be about right for 14 or 16 and up.
I have always tied with partridge and starling…partly because the cost is inexpensive and also because they are used in many North Country Soft Hackle patterns. I like the look of the hen with the dark center. If they are only $12 I will have to look into getting some of them.
I googled brahma hen videos to see the live version. They are the Clydesdale of chickens! Thanks for the info on these. My local shop has them but I didn’t know if they where any good because they are so affordable. And now I do.
I haven’t gotten my rod yet, and you’re getting me jazzed about tying! AAGGHH!!!