Darbee hackle

Post by **Theroe** » Tue Oct 30, 2018 12:20 pm

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

Post by **daringduffer** » Tue Oct 30, 2018 5:22 pm

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

Post by **tie2fish** » Tue Oct 30, 2018 5:42 pm

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.

Post by **upstatetrout** » Wed Oct 31, 2018 7:06 am

: 1124170952a.jpg (124.99 KiB) Viewed 5890 times

Part of my collection of Darbee paraphonelia.

Tom.

Post by **Theroe** » Wed Oct 31, 2018 8:03 am

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

Post by **Theroe** » Wed Oct 31, 2018 8:07 am

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 !

Post by **Theroe** » Wed Oct 31, 2018 8:14 am

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

Post by **Theroe** » Wed Oct 31, 2018 10:26 am

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

Post by **daringduffer** » Wed Oct 31, 2018 10:27 am

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

dd

Post by **Theroe** » Wed Oct 31, 2018 10:51 am

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

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