Brahma hen cape vs Brahma hen soft hackle

[billc]

Fellas,
Wonder if you could help. I see alot of references to Whiting brahma hen capes in you patterns and wonder if you could describe the differences between the feathers in a "Brahma hen cape" and those from the "Brahma hen soft hackle with chickabou". I'm assuming these are different feathers correct?

appreciate it
Bill

[RnF]

Saddle feathers are more like partridge feathers, more rounded and softer, more striations in the color pattern




LINK



Cape Feathers are more like tradition hen capes. Longer, thinner fibers and thicker stems (the cape is the center feathers, this particular cape came with some saddle feathers on the sides)

Hen_Cape.jpg (138.59 KiB) Viewed 9720 times

Single Feather

Singlefeather.jpg (105.18 KiB) Viewed 9716 times

Both are good feathers types to use. I am really fond of the saddle feathers though, love the color patterns on them.

[Hans Weilenmann]

Scott,

I have been enthusiastic about the Brahma hen feathers from the moment I first laid my eyes on them. Wonderful stuff, both neck and saddle feathers, each in their own right.

You mentioned some saddle feathers a attached to the neck patch shown - hmmm, I refer to them as shoulder feathers in my recipes. What do you think?

Cheers,
Hans W

[BruceC]

Hey Bill.
The only difference I can tell is that the Chickaboo patch is included with the cape. I have both and the feathers are identical other than the missing rump patch on the cape. As RnF points out, there are differences in shape between saddle patches (hen back), Indian Hen backs, and full capes. The samples I have are both capes; one with and one without the rump patch of chickaboo. Those feathers are the same shape, just minus the patch.


Best,
Bruce

[BruceC]

By the way... Steve Schweitzer has a terrific caddis emerger pattern using these feathers... Very simple and very realistic looking when wet.

http://globalflyfisher.com/patterns/taboucaddis/

B-

[RnF]

Hans, agreed they are shoulder feathers. I would say there is little difference between the shoulder and the saddle feathers from what I can gather. I think the shoulder feathers my have a bit thicker stem. But the feather fibers are very similar.

My partridge feathers are collecting dust after finding these. I am as enthusiastic about them as you are.

[Hans Weilenmann]

Scott,

agreed they are shoulder feathers. I would say there is little difference between the shoulder and the saddle feathers from what I can gather. I think the shoulder feathers my have a bit thicker stem. But the feather fibers are very similar.

Exactly.

Hans W

[VERN-O]

Lets not forget the abundance of chickabou feathers too....this stuff is great of tailing on small wooly buggers and the like. I absolutely love them. Very soft and alive with movement. A lot like marabou but better IMHO

Also keep this in mind:
Cape/neck (from the head to shoulders)
Saddle (back patch)
Chickabou/soft hackle (is the breast and lower neck region)

[VERN-O]

The grayish color feathered ones are with Brahama Hen chickabou and soft hackle
the olive/brown colored ones are Coq de Leon chickabou and soft hackle

[jcrumbacher]

I have a question concerning the size range of these hackles. I've heard the Brahma hen saddles are useful only for larger fles (14+). Will the capes and saddles handle a full range of sizes?

Thanks,
Jay