Tar Heel Fly Fishing: Saddle Hackle Hair Extensions Getting Out of Hand

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Saddle Hackle Hair Extensions Getting Out of Hand

10:39 PM | Posted by Tyler Legg |

As a fly tyer, both commercially and non-commercially, I've grown a bit worried with this whole hackle extension fashion trend. Metz and Whiting were apparently not prepared for this sudden rise in demand for hackles. The fad started well before Steven Tyler displayed them on American Idol. To my knowledge, Steven did remind people feathers look great when you stick them in your hair.

That's enough hackle to tie at least 3 dozen Para Adams.

If this fashion trend continues, we could be looking at an increase in the price of flies. We all thought gas prices were (and still are) bad enough. Now we may be facing some pricy flies to top it all off. It's a waiting game. A nervous, hoping-for-the-best kind of waiting game.

Microbarbs are apparently the most sought after hackles, so if you tie with them, it may be a good idea to stock up now.

What do you guys think about all of this?

4 comments:

Kev2380 said...: I made a post about this on my blog. A local store actually had people shop lifting feathers.; July 25, 2011 11:53 AM
Tyler Legg said...: I'm not surprised people are stealing feathers. Folks seem desperate to get their hands on them that they're paying unbelievable amounts of money, or stealing. An angler on Facebook said he saw a saddle go for $1200 on Ebay. I'm still trying to figure it out. It's getting ridiculous.; July 25, 2011 12:03 PM
Hawaiian Odysseus said...: Hi, Tyler!

Love your blog, first of all!

Yes, I agree with you that this craze for feathers, while great for the suppliers, is simply eroding our bottom line. It's one of those absolutely unexplainable phenomena where there's a crossover market that abruptly causes a huge increase in demand.

Just between you, me, and your other readers, there've been a few Plymouth Rock roosters in SE Washington that I've been ogling lately!

Best wishes for your continued success!; July 31, 2011 2:51 PM
Maylie J said...: Let Steve Tyler do what he wants with his hair. As long as he thinks it's cool on him, let him. I don't mind seeing this feather thing a trend for some people. haircutting classes; May 13, 2012 11:49 PM