Whiting Farms Grading Techniques

Dry Fly Rooster Capes

The higher plateau of quality and value demanded a rethinking of how hackle is graded, packaged and consumed. No longer is the old grading system of 1, 2 and 3 appropriate; feathers from Whiting Farms are all of the highest quality. Rather an Olympic medal designation will more effectively guide the fly tier to their appropriate level of expenditure.

BRONZE - Excellent quality and adequate for nearly all tiers. As good as or often better than any other hackle brand's #1 cape.
SILVER - Additionally strong in the overall length and density of the cape feathers. Better than anything produced by any other hackle producer.
GOLD - Extremely high quality dry fly hackle with particular emphasis on the hard to find tiny midge hackle sizes; #24 and smaller. For the most demanding fly tier.
PLATINUM - For the collecter. The pinnacle of genetic progress by Dr Whiting. Rare.

Dry Fly Rooster Saddles

Whiting dry fly saddles are graded based on the approximate number of flies each pelt will tie. The grade does not, as is sometimes thought, denote the hook sizes of the hackle.

The appropriate number of usable dry fly tying feathers is counted for both sides of the pelt. (ex: a 95 count on the left side and a 100 count on the right side total 195 usable tying feathers)
The average hackle length is then measured.
The tying sizes of the feathers are determined. Most saddles have two predominant sizes (ie, #12 & #14, #14 & #16, etc), with some hackle on either side of the predominant sizes.
The total number of flies per pelt is calculated. (An 8-inch feather that is size 14* will hackle at least four flies; 195 usable feathers multiplied by four flies equals a minimum of 780 flies. *It is important to note as hackle decreases in hook size, a given length will tie more flies.)

The saddle pelts are then placed in their appropriate grade based on the minimum number of dry flies each pelt will tie.

BRONZE - Will tie a minimum of 500 flies.
SILVER - Will tie a minimum of 800 flies.
GOLD - Will tie a minimum of 1,100 flies.
PLATINUM - Will tie a minimum of 1,500 flies.