Whiting Hackle Grades
Whiting Dry Fly Hackle, both capes and saddles are valued for their fine barbs, uniformity, and overall hackle quality. All Whiting hackle grades have high-quality feathers, with higher grades having more consistent characteristics and fewer flaws:
Whiting Hackle Grades for Dry Fly Capes
The Whiting hackle grading system below applies to Whiting Red Label and Whiting Hebert-Miner dry fly capes.
Pro Grade capes
Characteristics: High-quality feathers with more cosmetic flaws.
Usability: Each feather ties 1 to 2 flies.
Hook Size Range: Approximately 10 through 18.
Bronze Grade capes
Characteristics: High-quality feathers with minor cosmetic flaws.
Usability: Each feather ties 2 to 3 flies.
Hook Size Range: Approximately 10 through 18.
Silver Grade capes
Characteristics: More uniform and consistent feathers.
Usability: Each feather ties 3 to 4 flies.
Hook Size Range: Approximately 10 through 20.
Gold Grade capes
Characteristics: Highly uniform and superior quality feathers.
Usability: Each feather ties 3 to 5 flies.
Hook Size Range: Approximately 10 through
Platinum Grade capes
Characteristics: Exceptional uniformity and very consistent feathers.
Usability: Each feather ties over 4 flies.
Hook Size Range: Approximately 10 through 24
Ultra Platinum Grade capes
Characteristics: The pinnacle of hackle genetics, providing the highest quality and uniformity.
Usability: Each feather ties 5 or more flies.
Hook Size Range: Wide range, ideal for various sizes.
Whiting Hackle Grades for Dry Fly Saddles
Standard Dry Fly Saddles have feathers suitable for tying 2 to 3 different hook sizes, primarily within the range of size 10 to 16: The Whiting hackle grading system below applies to Whiting Red Label and Whiting Hebert-Miner dry fly rooster saddles.
Pro Grade Saddles
Feather Length: 7 to 14 inches or longer.
Fly Count: Minimum 350 flies.
Hook Size Range: Typically covers 2 to 3 sizes within approximately 10 to 16.
Bronze Grade Saddles
Feather Length: 7 to 14 inches or longer.
Fly Count: Minimum 500 flies.
Hook Size Range: Typically covers 2 to 3 sizes within approximately 10 to 16.
Silver Grade Saddles
Feather Length: 7 to 14 inches or longer.
Fly Count: Minimum 800 flies.
Hook Size Range: Typically covers 2 to 3 sizes within approximately 10 to 16.
Gold Grade Saddles
Feather Length: 7 to 14 inches or longer.
Fly Count: Minimum 1,100 flies.
Hook Size Range: Typically covers 2 to 3 sizes within approximately 10 to 16.
Platinum Grade Saddles
Feather Length: 7 to 14 inches or longer.
Fly Count: Minimum 1,500 flies.
Hook Size Range: Typically covers 2 to 3 sizes within approximately 10 to 16.
Ultra Platinum Saddles
Feather Length: 7 to 14 inches or longer.
Fly Count: Exceptional, ties 5 or more dry flies per feather.
Hook Size Range: Covers a wide range of sizes, primarily 10 to 16.
Whiting Midge Saddles for Dry Flies
Whiting Midge Saddles are graded the same as Whiting standard saddle hackle and are offered in the same colors. The only difference is the size of the hackle. Whiting Midge dry fly saddles are designed for smaller flies, typically size 16 and smaller: