Best Feathers for Huge Streamers

[Esoxbum]

Just looking for opinions on which has the best feathers for tying large streamers (anywhere from a size 3/0 up to a 6/0 with a 4/0 trailer for musky). Say 8”-12” long. I’m partial to Whiting’s colors (burnt orange, golden olive, ghost batred white) but hate paying Whiting money. I’d imagine bugger packs have very few long (6”ish) feathers. Never bought Whiting schlappen before (saddle hackle looks so much better). Ewing bugger packs look promising for the price….and I really don’t need an entire flatwing saddle. Appreciate the input. Thanks

 

[bingsbaits]

Blue Collar Hackle grows chickens just for this purpose.

 

[Esoxbum]

Good to know. It’s hard to find small businesses for hackle. The internet mass marketing machine can be frustrating at times, only showing the same products/businesses over and over. I’ve found a few (skilton/riseform/jim’s/badger).

 

[Esoxbum]

Blue Collar Hackle grows chickens just for this purpose.

I just seen their prices! Very reasonable. Do you have first hand experience with their dry fly hackle? I wish you commented a day earlier, as I think I ordered at least 1 of most of the items I listed in the poll. Some 2. Oh well, they’ll get used or sold eventually….

 

[bingsbaits]

I just seen their prices! Very reasonable. Do you have first hand experience with their dry fly hackle? I wish you commented a day earlier, as I think I ordered at least 1 of most of the items I listed in the poll. Some 2. Oh well, they’ll get used or sold eventually….

I have not tried his dry fly hackle. The hackle chickens were the old Alsdorf hackle brood. I grew up on the farm where they are raised. I know he was trying to specialize in the longer streamer hackles. I have used many of those.

 

[Esoxbum]

They look promising, especially at those prices. Appreciate the info

 

[Esoxbum]

Just got a couple of packs of whiting schlappen 10”-14” and a bugger pack. The schlappen was extremely disappointing quality. Twisted, sections with missing barbs, broken tips. 1/2 the pack is pretty much trash. I’m sure they’re not all that bad, just a consequence of buying online vs in person. The bugger pack is immaculate, just not 14”. Also ordered 2 ewing partial capes (sizes 2-8, and 12-14) for $12 each and a ewing bugger pack. We shall see….