Paul, and all, As you well know, no two feathers on a cape are identical, only mirror image left to right in symmetry. Whitings Cd'L saddles are the same. The spade feathers at the base of the long saddle feathers (on the skin) are very much like the Spanish feathers. They are waxy, gossamer, very stiff, and very long in the barb. These would be almost undetectable once tied on the fly. I have saddles with about 2 dozen of these spades on them. As you move away from the spades, the feathers get longer and start to lose the spade feather quality. This is where Tom plays the grading game, just like dry fly necks. The best birds get to live and make little birds with their genetic qualities.
On the other hand, the saddle feathers, which, from photos I've seen, are far longer than the Spanish (simply because they didn't breed for them). The barbs on these feathers don't have the qualities of the spades, but they are long stiff, somewhat waterproof, and make excellent flies, especially wets (along with dry-fly tailing). Whole long saddle feathers (especially the center ones) make excellent streamer flies, with great swimming movement, with fishy speckles to boot. Tom is a few hundred years behind the Spanish in breeding these birds, but has done remarkably well in one decade, especially considering the fact that no one else has succeeded at all in breeding these birds outside of Leon. Just a note, and I've mentioned this before. If anyone thinks what Tom is charging is too expensive, just visit the farm and compare what he's got now to the 'vintage' capes on the wall there (or some of your 'old stuff')- the original stock from the early breeders (see the Whiting story). Compare a Whiting 100-pak to what you could tie with a genetic neck just 10 years ago- no comparison. I remember spending more time trying to find useable hackles on dozens of stripped-out necks than I did actually tying the flies. What a gift a foot-long saddle feather is- no muss, no fuss, little waste (the downy root), all being the 'sweet spot' (for the older ones). The stem is so thin and strong that older tying methods for hackle collars are no longer necessary. The co-op swaps on Byard's site (thank you, thank you) is by far the best hackle deal on the planet, for cost per fly tied. I wouldn't buy them any other way if I didn't get my stuff straight from the farm. He also has extra farms secreted away, holding all the best birds in case that "nasty arrives". He could have new stock on the wall even if his production farm is wiped out. He has developed controlled climate conditions for a hundred thousand birds- from chicks on up, along with specialized food for feather growth (more important than bird growth, like Holly Farms). Dr. Tom, unlike what many people think, is not a commercialist or just interested in mass marketing a product. He's got a doctorate in poultry genetics because that is what he loves doing. He runs the business only to support his passion, and to try to supply the demand. He has gained the lion's share of the market, not out of marketing, but out of tiers using his feathers and wanting more, like me. I had bags and bags of Metz, Keough, older Hoffmans, Chinese saddles and necks, amongst others. I've donated all but the Hoffmans (collecting them) to kids' tying clubs. DonO ----- Original Message ----- From: "Paul Marriner" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Thursday, May 18, 2006 11:53 AM Subject: Re: [VFB] Pardo=+ Brown > Neville > I wouldn't swear that it's still true, but certainly the original coq de > Leon hackles were hand plucked at the moment of perfection without > "hurting" the "wild-range" bird. I fondled a package of ten feathers > that was selling for about $10. One would be hard-pressed to find that > stiffness in an entire neck of a hackle-farm cock (assuming you could > afford it!). We may, however, be mighty happy about those > controlled-environment birds should that unnamed nasty arrive. > cheers > Paul > http://www.galesendpress.com > -- > Paul Marriner > Outdoor Writing & Photography. Owner: Gale's End Press. Member: OWAA & > OWC. > Author of Stillwater Fly Fishing: Tools & Tactics, How to Choose & Use > Fly-tying Thread, Modern Atlantic Salmon Flies, Miramichi River Journal, > Ausable River Journal, and Atlantic Salmon. > > > -- > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG Free Edition. > Version: 7.1.392 / Virus Database: 268.6.0/342 - Release Date: 5/17/2006 > >
