FLYMPH FORUM

Darbee hackle has two qualities which make it stand out from all others. First, the barbs are limber - plenty stiff enough to float a dry fly, yet supple enough to imitate life when used for a wet. Second is translucence: not all of his hackle has this property, but the ones that do, absolutely glow! And some of the lighter duns have a distinct, pinkish / silver tone, which appear almost iridescent.

I will start this thread off with a link with to a post of mine in another forum, then add other photos for reference:

https://www.sparsegreymatter.com/viewto ... bee+hackle

Whoever else has some Darbee hackle, PLEASE chime in and add it here!

Theroe

I have been looking forward to this topic. I have nothing to add but a love for hackle that glow, especially the speckled kind. I have no Darbee hackle, just some old selected capes from the far east that I bring out and enjoy in natural light every winter. No genetic hackle I have seen can compare to their beauty but I suppose the feathers are best left on the cape.
(Some of them are rooster and some cockerel. The hen capes are not as impressive).

dd

I have been fortunate enough to see and handle some of Dana's Darbee necks in broad daylight, and they are indeed a wonder to behold. My cock and hen neck collection includes probably 100 pelts and the closest thing I have to his Darbee is a glassy speckled dun rooster neck from Bob's Hackle. It pales by comparison.

Part of my collection of Darbee paraphonelia.

Tom.

Here is a complete cape (neck & saddle) of Harrys - translucent, with tiny, light flecks....

and here is a close in view of the small feathers - the color, hue and sheen are as depicted in this photo. And this was BEFORE the hair dye trick so many growers use !

Darbee light bronze - those long bottom feathers make the best #8-10 Branchie.

upstatetrout wrote: ↑Wed Oct 31, 2018 7:06 am 1124170952a.jpg


Part of my collection of Darbee paraphonelia.

Tom.

Tom - those are very VERY nice, especially the top center one.........Ive never seen that color! Ivan told me Harry had a lot of "one off" birds, and that may very well be one.

Dana

Dana,
All you have to do now is to tie some Cutcliffe wet flies and post them

dd

Darbee Red Dun: when held up to the sun, this hackle glows like a ruby...