Top 6 Commonly Used Hen Neck Colors?

[tie2fish]

I generally use hen grizzly mixed with another color to produce a variegated effect.

[Roadkill]

I agree with the necessity of a good selection of Dun colors due to so many Mayflies having varied dun colored wings.

But first I would also ask myself, what are the insects I am most commonly trying to mimic and where am I fishing?

Where I used to fish in Eastern Oregon I loved to hit a hatch of PMDs with a yellow flymph tied with medium dun hen, a SH with a dun hackle or a P&Y. But some of the time there was also a hatch of Epeorus mayflies and the fish keyed on the larger mayfly dun that had Yellow wings instead of Dun. A yellow hen feathered Flymph out performed the usual flies during these complex hatches.

When I tie, I usually try to apply a dictum from Architecture that I learned from a friend in a sketching class at college-"Form follows function!".

[tjd]

I like to tie and fish non-descript, buggy, small wets. I tend to fish dun, brown/tan, cream, and black patterns. I use a lot of Charlie Collins's hen capes, one of a kind, mottled, speckled, and quite interesting.
Cree hen is nice. I've tied some of Atherton's wets in the flymph style this year, and have found them to be effective...although conditions and time on the stream have not allowed me enough time to really give them a good swim.
I have two Weidner hen capes/saddles (sold as a set) that I purchased many years ago at E. Hille's in Williamsport, PA (I really miss that shop!). They are a med/dark dun with an almost golden to fiery edge to the hackles. They tie a very nice Hendrickson or general early season wet fly.
Such a beautiful and buggy array of colors available, and the trout seem to approve of them all.
Good tying, all!

Tim

[daringduffer]

They are a med/dark dun with an almost golden to fiery edge to the hackles.

I would love to see a cape like that. Weidner - who was he?

dd

[tjd]

DD,

Weidner was a hackle grower that I believe was located in Pennsylvania. I'm unsure if the operation is still in business. The cards/packaging only say "Weidner Hackle", no address, or contact info. I just did a Google search and came up with nothing.
I recall talking to Charlie Collins about the hackles, but it was a number of years ago.
I'm photography challenged...but if you pm me your address I'll send you a few of the hackles.

Best,

Tim

[daringduffer]

Thanks Tim. Will do.

dd

[FlyFisherMann1955]

I appreciate all of the comments/experience you shared about hen neck colors. I ordered 4 colors: furnace, medium dun, ginger, and badger. These sets (cape & saddle) came from Collins Hackle Farm. After speaking with Charlie, I mailed him a note with my color choices and a check. Dropped it off at the post office after work last Wednesday; received my package today (the following Wednesday). My photography skills are very marginal, but here goes.

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The colors look good and the hook size range is too. I pulled these feathers from about the middle of each neck. Tying size 18 will not be a problem.

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Looking forward to researching some patterns and spending some time at the vise!

Thanks again- Ken

[letumgo]

Ken - Great choices. All of them look super useful. I am looking forward to seeing the patterns you tye with these.

[Ron Eagle Elk]

Those are some nice looking necks and the colors are great. I haven't seen Collins necks in some time. I may have to get an order in. Does he still throw in the saddle as well?

[Old Hat]

I believe he does Ron. Not a better deal going anywhere.