Fly Tying: Selecting Saddle Hackle

[@howardmiller3744]

As a 78 year old newbie to fly tying I just wanted to tell you how much I appreciate your videos. As a former high school drafting teacher I was impressed by the way you conduct the beginning fly tying techniques. I wish I would have found this site when I first started to explore fly tying. I did purchase your book on Amazon, and look forward to reading it.

[@TimCammisa]

Thanks for such kind words, Howard, and welcome to fly tying! If you ever have any questions, shoot me an email: [e-mail] Thanks for purchasing my book, and I can't wait to hear your thoughts on it. Tim www.troutandfeather.com

[@michaelbacile8439]

Oh man, this vid is invaluable. I’ve been tying for about 2 months now and it’s been a struggle learning the terms and techniques of all the different material. Then once you learn that where on earth do you find all these different material lol. Great vid man

[@TimCammisa]

Thanks so much, Michael, and glad I can help! In return, please share this video with a few friends to keep the fun going. Thanks! Tim www.troutandfeather.com

[@TimCammisa]

Thanks for the comments, David Jackson, and I appreciate the wishes for my new website! Tim

[@Caughtitoutdoors]

Thanks for the info. I'm new to fly fishing / tying, but as with many things, I am an extremist! Thanks to guys like you, I am becoming more and more interested....obsessed....POSSESSED! by fly fishing and tying. And my wife, also, is raising a brow at my mysterious growing collection of tying material. Love your videos, patterns.

[@TimCammisa]

Thanks for the kind words, and I'm glad you're getting into this as much as a lot of us! Stick with it...and keep your collection growing! Thanks again for taking the time to make a comment. TC

[@donngreen1179]

Very good and informative tutorial on hackle selection. As a life long tier, the only thing I would add to your message that I found critical in saddle hackle selection is cupping. I don't purchase from the companies you recommend and that may not be an issue with them, but, when you purchased saddles from shops that do not carry those companies I find a tremendous difference in cupping and often times not a difference in price. Great job, thank you, blessings.

[@TimCammisa]

Great comment, Bernice. For those who are unsure of cupping, that basically means that there is a natural curve in the barbules, typically towards the back. If they are extremely cupped, the fibers won't tie as straight and appear nearly crooked when tying Anything additional you want to add Bernice is appreciated. Thanks for pointing this out so others can look for those with less cupping. Tim

[@iamchrisroberts]

Great instructional video Tim as always. Much appreciated as many of the details you touched on have either eluded me or confused me. Thanks for the clarification.

[@TimCammisa]

You're welcome, Chris, thanks so much for the kind words. Please consider sharing this video with your tying friends so others can learn the information. Tim www.troutandfeather.com

[@donchilds2804]

Thanks Tim You have done an excellent job of explaining what I think is the most important and somewhat, confusing aspect of fly tying.

[@TimCammisa]

Thanks for the feedback, Don, and I hope this video helps tyers out there to make the entire process easier. Tim

[@ricki-bobby]

Solid video. Good explanation of your process. Collection of fly tying materials is its own little addiction. I remember chasing things like Chadwicks 477 for years, obsessed with finding that next great thing and then buying every last piece up. I'm at the point where I am cutting back after collecting/tying for 45 years. Project Healing Waters just got nice little donation last month

[@TimCammisa]

Ha ha, so there comes a point in fly tying where I will actually cut back, Bob??? ;-) Thanks for the comment, and additionally for donating to Project Healing Waters, which is an incredible organization. Tim

[@ricki-bobby]

There will be point where you start to realize that you could live 5 lifetimes and not tie through all the materials and hooks you own. At one point I had close to 100k hooks - many older Mustad types that aren't even made anymore from the 60's & 70's. Three options... tie 24x7 and try to use them up, sell on eBay or donate. Pretty easy choice.

[@TimCammisa]

Very easy choice, Bob, which is why I have a collection for Project Healing Waters yearly... ;-)

[@irantacklefishing]

thank u Tim..your talks really helped me for my saddle purchases...your room seems so cool...thanks for the video

[@TimCammisa]

mohamad naderkhani Thanks for the kind words, and I'm glad to have helped. My room, on the other hand, needs some organization! Ha ha...thanks again. Tim

[@gerrystevens1475]

Thanks for a great video, especially for those of us who are new at this.

[@TimCammisa]

Thanks, Gerry; I'm glad the video is helpful! TC

[@kerrypitt9789]

Over the last 48 years the quality of saddles available to us has sure improved. Especially since the few years the fashion industry sort of bought much of the product out there.

[@TimCammisa]

You are speaking the truth there! Thanks for the comment, and hope all is going well with you. Tim www.troutandfeather.com

[@DJackson1882]

Great video Tim, thanks for sharing. Good, luck with the new website.

[@robertriley4442]

Hey Tim, I really enjoy your videos. I'm new to fly fishing and your videos are extremely helpful. I'm in central Pa so many of your topics are very helpful. I love the shirt, and would love to get one, I work for Penn State Hershey!. Rob

[@TimCammisa]

Thanks for the positive comments, Rob, and I'm glad the videos are helping. I also really like the shirt, and got it from one of the shops in State College on College Avenue. I don't remember the exact one, but there are a few that sell the shirts. Thanks again! Tim

[@ssnoc]

Wow, what a great resource - you are an excellent teacher, thank you sir 🍺

[@TimCammisa]

You're welcome, Robert, and thanks for such kind words! I look forward to hearing more from you on some of my other videos. Tim

[@frankwilliams5475]

Another great educational video. Thank you very much

[@TimCammisa]

You're welcome, Frank, and I appreciate the positive comment. TC

[@Dreancaidi]

Great advice on hackle at the end!

[@TimCammisa]

Thanks, Ronan, and I appreciate the kind words! Glad it was helpful for you. Tim www.troutandfeather.com

[@KentuckianaFlyTyers]

Thanks for all the information, I know when I first started tying, it was quite confusing. I'll recomend this video to our new tyers at Trout Unlimited

[@TimCammisa]

Thanks for the comments, Daniel, and I appreciate the recommendation to those new @ fly tying! TC

[@fshng2114]

Thanks for your most informative video. What can be tied with the Collins saddles? Thanks in advance for your help.

[@TimCammisa]

Thanks for the kind words...though I try to pack LOTS of information into all of them! ;-) Regarding the saddles, they are great for parachute dry flies, Stimulators, Wulff patterns, and more. If you have any specific questions about them, shoot me an email: [e-mail] Thanks! Tim www.troutandfeather.com

[@bm626]

Hi Tim..once again,great tutorial. I was wondering, where I could get access to the Penn state shirt. I'm from Eastern ,Pa. Thanks.

[@TimCammisa]

I wish I could tell you an exact store, but I honestly don't remember. On the main street of State College, there are a bunch of stores that sell various PSU shirts. I happened to find a couple over the years with "Fly Fishing" on them, and I really love them. I would recommend stopping in State College to look next time you're on Spring Creek (which is an incredible stream to fly fish on!). Thanks for the kind words regarding the tutorial. Tim

[@fillmorecorpus9102]

Hi Tim, First thank you for sharing your knowledge. I enjoy watching you videos. Thank you. My first question is can you suggest a place, person to get grouse skins from? I he looked at Badger Creek. My second question is basically an opinion question. Do you prefer one type of grouse over anther, (ex. Ruffed vs. Blue). Thank you in advance.

[@TimCammisa]

Thanks for the comments, Fillmore Corpus , and I'm glad you enjoy the videos. I am a grouse hunter, thus have my pointing dogs as the main source for grouse. If I had to suggest some places, I would go with Blue Ribbon Flies, Performance Flies, or purchase from a seller on Ebay. I don't have any experience with Badger Creek, thus tough for me to make a recommendation one way or another. I do prefer ruffed grouse, simply because that's what I have in my area of Pennsylvania. I also really love English grouse feathers, which can be nice for soft hackles. Good luck, and let me know how you make out with your purchase(s). Tim

[@fillmorecorpus9102]

Thank Tim, On further looking Badger Creek is Mike Hogue and he is at eflytyer.com he will also be at the Somerset Show in Nj. I'll check him out there. Maybe I'll see you there also. Will you be exhibitor? I also check Collin's Hackle Farm. Thanks for replying and I'll check out your recommendations.

[@TimCammisa]

Fillmore Corpus Thanks for the link, and I think I have met Mike. I believe that I have purchased other materials off of him (silk thread and some head cement @ Somerset last year), thus will have to double-check. I am planning on attending, possibly on Saturday, but not as an exhibitor. Tim

[@fillmorecorpus9102]

Tim Cammisa Tim, I split my order between Blue Ribbon Flies and Performance Flies. Thanks for the recommendation. The feathers from both are excellent and as expected. I plan on ordering from them in the future. Thank again.

[@TimCammisa]

Fillmore Corpus You're welcome, and I'm glad the grouse feathers were decent. Tim

[@kimmypiano]

hi, i wanna buy some long bright mix feather extensions from you. Can you ship it to Carolina, Raleigh ? and how much for 200 long feathers extensions ?. Thanks.

[@TimCammisa]

Thanks for the message, Kim, and feel free to email me: [e-mail]

[@CommodoreMark]

@TimCammisa: what happened to the hackle company you mentioned?

[@CommodoreMark]

Looks like Lars sold it and the buyers did shortly afterward.

[@TimCammisa]

That's correct, and I am now mainly using Keough hackle, which is amazing quality and more readily available. Tim www.troutandfeather.com

[@Bonneville_Brute]

I'm not very clear on why you recommend full saddles over 1/4 or 1/2. I think knowing which feathers you can use for what is more of an indicator of experience than creativity. Also, yes you get what you pay for but the most expensive stuff isn't always the best bang for your buck. For example, Bronze grade Whiting saddles are rated bronze because they have roughly 3,000 flies worth of hackle as opposed to the 3500 that can come out of a platinum grade saddle. I'm getting way more bang for my buck by going with bronze. the hackle fibers themselves are 100% as high in quality, and I don't know that I'll get around to tying over 3,000 flies in a single color. Great stuff, I would just disagree with the full saddle buying. For most of us, that would result in simply having more chicken feathers than we could use in a lifetime.

[@TimCammisa]

Thanks for the comments, James, and I appreciate the kind words regarding my video. When I say you get what you pay for, I think your interpretation may be a little different than what I meant. When we're talking "high end" hackle, the majority of it is quality, with the major difference being the # of quality usable hackle (as you mentioned). There is a lot of hackle on the market that is not to that level, hence my comment. Regarding my comment about the full saddle, keep in mind that with some of my recommended companies (though Clearwater appears to no longer sell hackle, at last check), when you purchase one, you receive a variety of sizes and sometimes extra goodies (i.e. schlappen, which I love!). The #'s you mention seem a tad high when checking Whiting, though I'm not an expert on their hackle. The site I saw showed lower #'s, but if you're aware of another count, be sure to let me know: whitingfarms.com/whitings-olympic-grading-system/ At the end of the day, each tier has to decide what's best for them, and if that includes splitting a saddle in half with a buddy, then I definitely recommend doing so (especially when factoring in price). More chicken feathers than we can use in a lifetime? Absolutely! HA HA, I'm guilty as charged. ;-) Most importantly, we're lucky to have such an incredible variety of feathers at such high quality now. This video was made in 2014, and my opinions have slightly changed, but those recommendations really vary based on the experience level of the tier. For anyone reading this comment, don't hesitate to shoot me an email so we can determine what would work best for you: [e-mail] Thanks again, James, and I look forward to hearing more from you on some of my other videos. Tim www.troutandfeather.com While on my website, feel free to signup for my email updates; thanks!

[@Dreancaidi]

Good video. Whats in the mug?

[@TimCammisa]

Thank you, and coffee...of course!! ;-) Tim www.troutandfeather.com

[@michaelandersen5453]

First commit. you have that Joe Humphrey look with the PSU sweatshirt on. he always had his PSU hat on. Sec. I'm a OSU person so should I believe in everything you say. BAAAAAA LOL

[@TimCammisa]

+Michael Andersen HAHAHAHA! Well, Michael, I didn't go to PSU, but I like Michigan! Ha ha! There is some great fly fishing in the State College area, hence where I spend a lot of time. Also, there is some GREAT trout fishing in Michigan....but OSU??? Oh you poor guy! ;-) Tim

[@michaelandersen5453]

Tim caught a musky in the river next to the school so it isn't too bad. But hitting the Ausable river again in July. Being in Florida and having a love for trout fishing, I only get to go once a year. But always tie hundreds of flies every year and throw out some to make room for the new. Sorry OSU did beat down Michigan, but you do have a great coach and their future is way to scary. tightlines Mike

[@412milefarm6]

Tim, I wish i had watched this long before i spent a penny on hackle...

[@TimCammisa]

Ha ha, Rob! Hang in there, and I wish that I had watched this, too! ;-) Thanks for the kind words, and I'm glad to have helped. Tim

[@fliegenwerkstatt5803]

They are so beautiful but very expensive. I have only two 1/4 Saddles here. I have payed for one 1/4 Saddle € (Euros) 42,50, in USD its 47,35. For a complete 1/1 Saddle Grade #2 i must pay 170 Euro or $ 184 in your Location .... Thats so bad.

[@TimCammisa]

+Fliegenwerkstatt Oh wow, those are very highly priced! I'm sorry to hear that. Where are you located? TC

[@theoutdoorguy1238]

wow ive never gotten marabou on a saddle

[@findingusernamesux11]

Nice!

[@TimCammisa]

Thanks for the comments, and sorry it was tough finding a username! TC

[@findingusernamesux11]

Lol!

[@ethierwc]

We Are

[@yauck1]

LOL