Hen hackle for dry fly wings

[smeltitdealtit]

Hello. I am new here. I am tying BWOs and Blue Duns for this spring and my hackle tip wings are scrawny. I am lookng for hen hackle, in blue dun immediately but also in other colors eventually. Can anyone recommend a source of this material that is relatively cheap and good for dry fly wings?

Thank you.

[mwvmamma]

I went on the northcountryangler.com web page. They have a link to their suppliers, one of which is Whiting. After reading the informative web site you might consider contacting North Country Angler for the blue hackle you are looking for.

It may not be as inexpensive as you hope, but as you well know, you get what you pay for. Besides as an added bonus while you are in the Whiting website click on the articles & how to's tab and click on Feather Care.

I am not affiliated with North Country Angler, I just like to promote the shop because I think Janet and Bill have a lot of experience and a great shop.

[Troutaholic]

If you don't want to spend alot of money, you might consider CDC puffers as a wing material. A pkg will set you back about $2. Antron yarn will work for a wing too. They will both catch fish.

[TGIF]

Keep in mind that the fish don't see the wing, they are more intered in the profile of the body and hackle (from below). The wings are for us. A hen wing is nice looking but substitutes won't hurt anything.

[TGIF]

Keep in mind that the fish don't see the wing, they are more intered in the profile of the body and hackle (from below). The wings are for us. A hen wing is nice looking but substitutes won't hurt anything.

[Kype+]

Smeltitdealtit

Depending on the size hook you are using there are a number of ways to deal with this. Small traditionally hackled flies #16 on down do not require wings at all.
Then there is the no hackle approach to dry flies. I now use snowshoe hare foot hair. You can dye it if you feel it is necessary. If you have several feet you can find enough color variation for most flies. Try the snowshoe hare foot hair and you will be pleased.
If you need some PM me. I got in a supply from Nova Scotia a short time ago. I haven’t opened the box yet.

Bobby