Lateral view of a Female Hexagenia limbata (Ephemeridae) (Hex) Mayfly Dun from the Namekagon River in Wisconsin

Hex Mayflies
Hexagenia limbata

The famous nocturnal Hex hatch of the Midwest (and a few other lucky locations) stirs to the surface mythically large brown trout that only touch streamers for the rest of the year.

Stream photos

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Male Baetidae (Blue-Winged Olive) Mayfly Dun Male Baetidae (Blue-Winged Olive) Mayfly Dun

Lateral view of a Male Baetidae (Blue-Winged Olive) Mayfly Dun from Mystery Creek #308 in Washington

This dun emerged from a mature nymph on my desk. Unfortunately its wings didn't perfectly dry out.

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27" brown trout, my largest ever. It was the sub-dominant fish in its pool. After this, I hooked the bigger one, but I couldn't land it.

Troutnut is a project started in 2003 by salmonid ecologist Jason "Troutnut" Neuswanger to help anglers and fly tyers unabashedly embrace the entomological side of the sport. Learn more about Troutnut or support the project for an enhanced experience here.

hackle

Stwhe1012
Posts: 4

Stwhe1012 on Jul 5, 2008July 5th, 2008, 3:31 am EDT

does anyone know where to buy a good cree neck from //

Martinlf

Moderator
Palmyra PA

Posts: 3047

Martinlf on Jul 5, 2008July 5th, 2008, 6:02 am EDT

Well marked cree necks are scarce as hen's teeth, but Flyfisher's Paradise in State College has them sometimes, typically at the beginning of the year. You might call Steve (814-234-4189)and see if he will take a standing order and contact you if and when when he gets one in. If you contact Keough Hackle

Keough Hackle
23392 Hwy. M-60
Mendon, MI 49072
(616) 496-7464
www.keough-hackle.com

you may be able to get a tyer's grade cree neck. I bought a tyer's grade Cree some years ago directly from them that doesn't have as much black in it as I'd like, but has beautiful browns and whites. I don't have any idea what may be available now, though.

"He spread them a yard and a half. 'And every one that got away is this big.'"

--Fred Chappell

JOHNW

Chambersburg, PA

Posts: 452

JOHNW on Jul 5, 2008July 5th, 2008, 7:14 am EDT

As Louis said they are pretty rare. Another source might be Collins Hackle Farm or Bob's hackle farm both are easily found via google both are old school hackle breeders that sell quality stuff. Collins actually sells the saddle and neck from the same bird for about the price of a Whiting Silver what a deal.

JW

"old habits are hard to kill once you have gray in your beard" -Old Red Barn

Wbranch

York & Starlight PA

Posts: 2635

Wbranch on Jul 5, 2008July 5th, 2008, 8:10 am EDT

In my opinion you should never buy any neck, wet fly or dry fly, without first seeing it. There was a time I used to take a chance and buy necks sight unseen through the mail and virtually every purchase was a disappointment. I would rather drive fifty miles to a reputable fly materials shop to sort through all the necks than have the owner select it for you and then mail it.

Catskill fly fisher for fifty-five years.

Wiflyfisher

Wisconsin

Posts: 622

Wiflyfisher on Jul 5, 2008July 5th, 2008, 11:02 am EDT

Jim Slattery has some fantastic necks and skins, including cree. He also is the owner of Campfire Lodge & Resort in West Yellowstone. You can call him to see if he has any left and discuss it with him.

http://www.jimsflyco.com/html/whiting_farms.html
http://www.campfirelodgewestyellowstone.com

John S.
https://WiFlyFisher.com

JAD

Alexandria Pa

Posts: 362

JAD on Jul 5, 2008July 5th, 2008, 11:18 am EDT

Jim Slattery has some fantastic necks and skins,

I'll put my money on Jim I have bought some skins from Jim and they were everything he said they would be. I believe Jim is on this forum http://outdoorsbest.zeroforum.com/zeromain?id=8

John

They fasten red (crimson red) wool around a hook, and fix onto the wool two feathers which grow under a cock’s wattles, and which in colour are like wax.
Radcliffe's Fishing from the Earliest Times,

Levi
Posts: 6

Levi on Jul 7, 2008July 7th, 2008, 8:52 am EDT

conranch.com has some but they are kind of expensive, but I know that if they are from conranch they are worth the money.

Leakywaders
New England

Posts: 43

Leakywaders on Jul 10, 2008July 10th, 2008, 3:19 pm EDT

I NEVER buy hackle that I cannot see and feel.

Getr most of mine at fly fishingf shows in winter, but always look at fly shops, and I havce bought a few at the local CABULAS strore.

I have 3 cree saddles (snicker).

Drag free??? If the fly didn't drag, I wouldn't know where it was!!

Troutbum13
Millerton,PA

Posts: 7

Troutbum13 on Sep 8, 2008September 8th, 2008, 3:07 am EDT

My pick would be Collin's Hackle. Good stuff! He has a genetic line of chickens from Harry Darbee,Andy Miner and Dick Bitner. Super nice flex,wrap twist free! Charlie is very smart when it comes to his birds {I'm sure he is smart in other areas also,lol}. Let him know what you are looking for and he will pick out something nice!