Dry fly cape or saddle hackle

[shector]

Hi guys
I'm in the market for new grizzly hackle and can't decide between getting a cape or saddle. I tend to tie flies size 16 down to 20 and smaller. I think from a saddle i'll be able to get more flies, with a cape i get more value and also a lot of wastage with the residual larger feathers i don't use. Some advice would be appreciated.

[GGY]

Hi guys
I'm in the market for new grizzly hackle and can't decide between getting a cape or saddle. I tend to tie flies size 16 down to 20 and smaller. I think from a saddle i'll be able to get more flies, with a cape i get more value and also a lot of wastage with the residual larger feathers i don't use. Some advice would be appreciated.

I think I worked out the solution a few years ago.
NOTE - you cannot beat Whiting products.

*IF* you don't have the colour already in a quality CAPE, get the cape (or rather a 1/2 Cape). This will allow you to tie up all the normal fly sizes you fish, as well as bigger/smaller flies, plus you get spade hackles for tails and bugger options as well.

If you do have the colour already in a quality CAPE, but are now running out of your most popular sizes, get a quality 1/2 SADDLE in those sizes. This will fill in the gaps left (literally) in your cape.

Since the quality of modern capes/saddles is improving all the time, a current BRONZE is as good/better than a SILVER from 3-5 years ago. Just get Bronze.
This is also why you want a 1/2 cape or saddle - the full one will last too long.

Also rather than get plain colours (black/brown/dun), rather get a grizzly DYED black/brown/dun - dyed-grizzly feathers still show some barring = illusion of movement = buggier flies.

[shector]

Thanks Gary
I have a grizzly cape (not Whiting) with all the smaller hackles are used. So here's what I think i'm gonna do, I think I should get a half a Whiting cape and abuse it till all the smaller feathers are used, then switch to a Whiting saddle

[GGY]

Thanks Gary
I have a grizzly cape (not Whiting) with all the smaller hackles are used. So here's what I think i'm gonna do, I think I should get a half a Whiting cape and abuse it till all the smaller feathers are used, then switch to a Whiting saddle

Perfect plan.

Try find a salt/stillwater angler to buy your old (non-Whiting) cape for ~ 50 bucks. This can offset the Whiting 1/2 cape.
I have even gone so far in the past as to swop the upper 1/2 of my capes with such anglers for the bottom 1/3 of theirs.

[shector]

I have even gone so far in the past as to swop the upper 1/2 of my capes with such anglers for the bottom 1/3 of theirs.

Solid transaction, that

[Korrie]

have a look at some of the Indian capes.
super value for money, with lots of different sizes and colors floating around

[redhumpy]

have a look at some of the Indian capes.
super value for money, with lots of different sizes and colors floating around

Ek skiet daai Mynahs - dye daai vere sommer met teesakkies