Co-op swappers, (and those interested) Since soon you'll be enjoying the friuts of some else's passion ( Dr. Tom Whiting's hackles), and incorporating them into your passion (tying superb dry flies), I thought I might add a little 'prep work' to heighten your enjoyment. In order to anticipate and fully appreciate what you're about to enjoy (Whiting swap-hackles), I recommend that you read the chapter on hackles in Paul Schmookler's "Rare and Unusual Fly Tying Materials, Part II". It was written for Paul by Tom Whiting himself, and the article is in itself a work of art in the presentation of information about the feathers you will hold in your hands and tie on your hooks. The text and pictures are incredible, and the selected capes and saddles are a wonder to behold, along with the accompanying flies . Tom does not try to inundate the reader in complex genetic terms and formulas, but tries to impart a general layman's understanding of the goals and processes involved in trying to acheive the perfect feather. There is also a very good section on Cree. If you think you have a passion for our sport, read this and find out what sort of passion drives Tom Whiting. We are but the present recipiants of a decades-long striving-for-excellence endeavor on the parts of many pioneers, Dr. Whiting being the latest.
Those of us who have lived through and tied through this process (Hoffman saddle improvements, for one) appreciate the feather itself, base solely on comparison to the last hackle we tied on, but learning the background of how it got here lends maximum appreciation. Those 'newbies' who haven't been through the 'process' need to read this to appreciate what it takes and what the costs are in getting these superb tying feathers into their personal possession. If you read the article, you'll find out why I say that. 'nuff said... DonO
