Hen Capes

[Old Hat]

I'm in the market for some hen capes.

I'm curious about the 4B hen capes by Whiting. Not the saddles. Only the capes. Anyone have any experience with these? What size range would I expect from these? Would you consider them very soft. I normally prefer a little stiffer hackle for hens like the Whiting Herbert Miner hen capes.

[Boarmountain]

My 4b cape can tie down to 20 easy. I also like the CDL hen capes, very buggy.

[letumgo]

I have several of the 4B hen capes, but have not done much tying with them, but see no reason they could not work from a size 18 all the way up to size 2's. It all depends on feather selection and how you tye them in (tip versus hackle stem). Overall the 4B capes are very nice.

[Trifly]

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The 4Bs are a great resource for flies over size 14. On a couple of my capes I can tie 20's. On the rest of the capes maybe a few 18's. I find I must pay close attention when tying the small patterns as the stems on the 4Bs are much shorter than the Whiting genetic hen hackle. You will not get more than one fly per feather with the 4B. If that matters.

When I say I can tie the smaller patterns with the 4Bs, I can, but keep in mind these hen capes are not bred (the hens) for that. You will also find the smaller feathers are not in abundance on the cape. Think high quality barn yard chickens, and that best describes the 4Bs.

If you are looking for hen hackle that can tie from a size 24 to a size 8, the Herbert Miner or the Whiting Genetic hen are the the best choice, with the Whiting being the Cadillac of hen hackle. They are stiffer than the 4B but not even close to being dry fly quality. Though some believe other wise.

The 4Bs are a great value if the target sizes for your patterns are 14 and up.

[letumgo]

Oh wow! Those are some beautiful capes. Very useful colors. Thanks for posting.

[Trifly]

I have bought and used a few of the Collins hen capes. I was always disappointed in the and lack of uniformity from one cape to the next. That, and I was disappointed with the lack of feathers in the necks to tie down to 18.

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Feathers, hooks and thread. We are indeed lucky that we can enjoy such a vast selection.

I found the photo a while back. It does a good job of illustrating the hen hackle differences.

[Trifly]

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Perhaps with enough searching, I will find that Collins cape the suits my style of tying as well.

I hope you take this post with the humor that was intended.

[Old Hat]

Thanks everyone for the input. I think the 4B's are bigger than what I am looking for. Although I may be able to tie both trout and saltwater stuff with one cape.

I've always preferred the Herbert Miner Whiting hens. But, I actually like the slight stiffness in them. I have some that are rather soft and some that are definitely dry fly capable. In fact, after reading some material by Shane Stalcup years ago who was a big proponent of using the genetic hens for dry flies I can't remember the last time I bought a dry fly cape. He would tie dry patterns using the hen (a little long) and with his fingers (thumbs) separate the fibers along the bottom out to the sides. The hen is soft enough that they will stay bent out like that. This makes the pattern ride a little lower and the softer hen flexes a bit as it makes contact with the water's surface. More surface contact with the hackle, no penetration into the water's surface means better flotation and a better surface impression.

[Trifly]

Size 18s tyed with 4B hen.
I think I used every barbule on the quil!

The bodies are thread with different resins that I am playing with.

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[letumgo]

Trifly - That is really impressive! That would make a great searching/attractor pattern.

Recipe please...