Don,
Where could I see this ? Don't have the book.
Jimi
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
