Steve and Reuven: I believe Reuven is asking about the rooster and hen, capes and saddles. Basically the rooster hackles are long and the hen short. Here's what Whiting has to say: Rooster Capes - the largest and longest Spey Hackle feathers available, but also having a great range in sizes Rooster Saddle - large and long Spey Hackle feathers with a limited range of sizes Hen Capes - small to medium sized Spey Hackle Hen Saddles - quite uniform smaller medium sized Spey Hackle feathers (YES, that's what they say!)
Whiting also sells a product called Bird Fur which is similar to the rooster saddle. All these products, IMO, have finer stems and hackle fibres than either heron or pheasant; very delicate. cheers Paul http://www.galesendpress.com -- Paul Marriner Outdoor Writing & Photography. Owner: Gale's End Press. Member: OWAA & OWC. Author of: A Compendium of Canadian Fly Patterns (co-author), 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.
