Spey Hackle - Suitable Materials

[vanislealoha]

I had a question for Phearless re Spey Hackle on another post but thought I would start a thread on spey hackle. What materials can be used and how to use them?

For a steelhead fly swap I want to tie a spey fly which I have never done before. The materials just call for "Spey Hackle" so I am unsure what to use. I have been to the store and have seen several options comprised of different materials and a wide range of prices. I am tying on size 1.5 Daiichi salmon hooks.

What is readily available at the store near me are the following

Burnt Spey Hackle - I am not sure what kind of feathers these are but they have been chemically treated and cost 4.99. (I bought these although they are the wrong colour I need so I am still looking). My observations are that the fibers are nice and long ( i am tying on size 1.5 daiichi salmon hooks) but the stems may be a little thick and brittle. I read somewhere you can soak them in warm water to make the stems more flexible. Has anyone done this? Also I was thinking of trimming away part of the thicker stems with a knife to see if this aids in wrapping the hackle around the hook.

Mallard Flank - "Large Select Feathers". These were around 4.00. They looked like the fibers may not be quite long enough as well the feathers did not seem to be too long so I am not sure of how many wraps you would get.

Schlappen - About $3.00 a package. I have schlappen for other flies. I think in a package several feathers would have fibers long enough for a spey hackle on a 1.5 hook.

There were two other products and I am not sure what type of feather they were , I suspect they were pheasant of some kind, and they ranged in cost from $12.00 to $16.00. These feathers had very long fibers. It looked like a package could only tie 6 or so flies.

I am sure there are a few people out there that will be able to add to this list as well as discuss some of the pros /cons of each choice!

Thanks in advance for any info!

[Jim Dingsdale]

Great Blue Heron feathers have been used for spey flies.
Saw them for sale a few years ago and were 75 cents PER feather.
Have not seen them for sale since.
Somebody who deals in exotic feathers may be able to help you.

[phearless]

This is where it gets interesting.

For starting the Schlappen is great.
Relatively inexpensive and works well. You are correct in saying there will be a few feathers that will be big enough. A 1.5 should be no problem though.

Ring neck pheasant rump can be excellant. I use that as well. I hunt and get the premo big stuff.
I believe you can get ringneck select or spey grade out there as well.

There are some neck hackles long enough as well.

The mallard is generally used as a collar to finish flies.

At this point you are in the gathering stage. I have spent 25 years gathering materials. I can't stop. In time you will have a stockpile from which to draw.

Blue eared pheasant is excellant but expensive.
My suggestion is to split a skin with a buddy and cut it down the middle. It will run you around 130.00 to 150.00 if I recall. So half of that and you will be good for a few years though.

The burnt spey works well to. Just remember that with a lot of these feathers you strip away the fibers on one side. That will make the stem thinner and more pliable. Soaking the feathers if you find them too stiff to work with works well. Here is a secret. Soak them with some unscented fabric softener or hair conditioner in some warm, body temp, for an hour or so and then rinse well in warm water and then cold water.

I have assumed that you are speaking of the palmered body hackles here.
Feathers that can be used for collars are a whole new thread.

There are tons of spey type feathers out there. It all comes down to how much you want to spend.

There are some very nice marabous that lend themselves to the spey style as well.

John Shewey's book on spey and dee flies is well worth you getting.
I know I have missed some things here, but we can catch them as they come up.

Have fun.

[phearless]

Great Blue Heron feathers have been used for spey flies.
Saw them for sale a few years ago and were 75 cents PER feather.
Have not seen them for sale since.
Somebody who deals in exotic feathers may be able to help you.

Great Blue Heron is illegal to posses without special permits.
Be careful.