What do you use a Grizzly hackle for after .........

[Ian Fraser-Stables]

you've removed the tips for an Adams dry?

Sandy said in a previous post that he doesn't use many different materials these days and I tend to be the same. However I have an urge to replace a few of my Adams Dry flies this year as they are good all rounders.

Whereas previously I bought a bag of Metz loose hackles, this time I'm thinking of getting a couple of capes or saddles. However, with the Grizzly hackles, once I've taken off the tips, the only thing I tend to use the rest of the hackle for is for a few salt water flies.

I would like to bet there is a lot more  I could use them for but I'm not sure what.

Any thought chaps?

Cheers
Ian 

[Michael Kearney]

Ian, I buy Grizzle hackle on capes or saddles with small feathers.
With the tips removed the remaining feather is useful as a parachute, for example on an Adams variant which I use as a searching pattern or to support a small nymph when fishing a duo rig.
I also use these feathers when tying spinner patterns. An Oliver Edwards' Semi-Circle Spinner is a useful and visible pattern in low-light conditions, and at these times I find that profile of the overall fly is more important than feather colour. For fishing in brighter conditions I tie imitations with either upright wings for female egg-laying spinners or flat wings for spent spinners. I use a synthetic material for the wings and tie in a small Grizzle feather as a collar with one wrap behind the wing and two in front. Or, you could tie parachute spinners.

[Ian Fraser-Stables]

Thanks Michael,

Quote:  I buy Grizzle hackle on capes or saddles with small feathers

I've only ever seen Grizzle capes or saddles with the long feathers, didn't know you can buy them with smaller feathers.

Lots of food for thought there

Cheers
Ian

[James Laraway]

if you want small grizzly hackle what you want is some 'cock cape tops' . I've got quite a few and they are very small and ideal for wings on flies. If you cant find any drop me a PM and happy to sway for something fly tying related !