[Pocono]

Not very popular, I know. But I'm interested in sourcing some white-dyed-red dry fly hackle. I've been to the usual sources; Whiting, Metz, etc. and, no luck. Does anyone out there know where I might source this material. My dry flies are currently in the 12-16 size range, so hackle that would work for these hook sizes would be ideal for me.

Alternatively; and this will give you an indication of just how keen I am to get some of this material, if there is a dye recipe that works, that is not too technical and that is suitable for a home tyer, I'd be willing to try dying some white dry hackle to get the red color that I'm looking for.

[Frank Whiton]

Hi Pocono,

Finding red dyed over white hackle is not hard to find. The problem is getting it in the size you need. These necks may have some you could use. Feather-Craft use to do their own dying but I don't know if that is still true. I would call them with your requirements and see if they can help you out.

Frank

Feather-Craft Necks

Whiting Dyed Over White Rooster Neck
Part #: TK006$25.95
WHITING AMERICAN ROOSTER CAPES "DYED OVER WHITE" BASS/TARPON/SALTWATER ROOSTER NECKS have the beautiful long, wide and webby feathers for tying bass bugs, tarpon flies, deceivers and saltwater streamers. COLORS: (1)White, (2)Yellow, (3)Red, (4)Tan, (5)Purple, (6)Hot-Orange, (7)Fl-Chartreuse, (8)Hot-Pink, (9)High-Green, (10)Olive, (11)Black, (12)Kingfisher-Blue

[TB3]

I'm not sure how many flies you're planning on tying, but would marking white hackles with a red prismacolor marker work?

[FISHN50]

A few years ago Fly Tyer magazine had a good artical on dyeing stuff. I'll look & see if I still have it around. Does anyone else remember the article & when it was. ?

[fyshstykr]

I do remember that article Fishn50, don't remember when though....

Pocono,
A.K. Best has a good book on dyeing, it's called "Bleaching and Dyeing", sure it would answer any questions you may have.

You could even consider doing a smaller amount of hackle, just remove desired amount, degrease with "Dawn", rinse very well, use "Rit Dye" and follow the instructions......It's been a while since I've done any, so there may be some things forgotten, but this gets you in the ball park.

Instead of buying a neck for this you could purchase a few bags of inexpensive saddle hackle to experiment with, just have to unstring it. Loose feathers allow for better color penetration.

Another thought.....you may want to pick up a hotplate for this venture, that way you can work in the garage, open the door for better ventilation(Vinegar) and not have to chance messing up the kitchen.

[Reactor]

The popular red quill pattern calls for a red hackle, so there has to be some good dry fly quality hackle out there in red. Theriaultflies.com may be able to help you.

[Pocono]

Originally Posted by fyshstykr

I do remember that article Fishn50, don't remember when though....

Pocono,
A.K. Best has a good book on dyeing, it's called "Bleaching and Dyeing", sure it would answer any questions you may have.

You could even consider doing a smaller amount of hackle, just remove desired amount, degrease with "Dawn", rinse very well, use "Rit Dye" and follow the instructions......It's been a while since I've done any, so there may be some things forgotten, but this gets you in the ball park.

Instead of buying a neck for this you could purchase a few bags of inexpensive saddle hackle to experiment with, just have to unstring it. Loose feathers allow for better color penetration.

Another thought.....you may want to pick up a hotplate for this venture, that way you can work in the garage, open the door for better ventilation(Vinegar) and not have to chance messing up the kitchen.

Thanks, fyshstykr. I now have a copy of the A.K. Best book; Dying and Bleaching. So, having not been able to source any good white dyed red dry hackle from the commercial suppliers (I've tried them all), I'm now embarking on a dying program to get the red hackle that I want. I'll let you know how it works out. The hotplate sounds like a good idea; and probably also good for keeping domestic relations on a semi-even keel.

Frank - FYI Whiting does not recommend the white dyed red rooster necks for dry fly hackling. But, I purchased one anyway and, perhaps not surprisingly, Whiting was right. It's far too webby. It is good tailing material, though; barbs are a good length. So, it won't be wasted.

[fyshstykr]

Great, keep us informed on how it's going.
As far as 'Domestic realations'.........that's affirmative!

[dshort]

The popular red quill pattern calls for a red hackle, so there has to be some good dry fly quality hackle out there in red. Theriaultflies.com may be able to help you.
03-18-2008 01:37 PM


I believe the Red Quill calls for a blue dun hackle.