**Kylebooker Natural Cock Hackles 2g Pack Various Colours Fly Tying Gordon Griffiths: A Comprehensive Review on Value for Money**
For fly-tying enthusiasts, selecting high-quality materials is crucial to crafting effective and durable flies. The **Kylebooker Natural Cock Hackles 2g Pack in Various Colours**, designed for fly tying under the Gordon Griffiths brand, has gained attention among anglers. But does it offer good value for money? This review delves into its features, performance, and overall cost-effectiveness to help you decide.
### **1. Product Overview**
The **Kylebooker Natural Cock Hackles** come in a 2-gram pack with assorted colors, catering to diverse fly-tying needs. These hackles are sourced from premium rooster necks, ensuring flexibility, strength, and vibrant hues—key traits for imitating natural insects. The pack’s variety allows tiers to experiment with patterns like dry flies, nymphs, and streamers.
### **2. Quality Assessment**
– **Feather Texture & Durability**: The hackles exhibit fine barbules and consistent stem thickness, making them easy to wrap around hooks. Their natural stiffness ensures good buoyancy for dry flies.
– **Color Retention**: Unlike dyed feathers, these natural hackles maintain their brilliance even after prolonged use, resisting fading from UV exposure or water absorption.
– **Versatility**: The multi-color pack (e.g., brown, grizzly, black) suits imitating mayflies, caddisflies, and other aquatic insects, reducing the need for multiple single-color purchases.
### **3. Performance in Fly Tying**
– **Ease of Use**: The feathers are pre-sorted, saving time for beginners. Their manageable length (2–3 inches) fits standard hook sizes (#12–#18).
– **Knot Resistance**: The sturdy stems minimize breakage during wrapping, a common issue with cheaper alternatives.
– **Floatation Test**: When tied into dry flies, the hackles provided excellent buoyancy, outperforming synthetic blends in slow-moving waters.
### **4. Price vs. Competitors**
Priced at **$8–$12 per 2g pack**, Kylebooker’s hackles are **mid-range**—more affordable than premium brands like Whiting Farms ($15–$20 per gram) but pricier than bulk synthetic options ($5 for 5g). However, the **natural feather quality** justifies the cost, especially for tiers prioritizing longevity and realism.
### **5. Pros and Cons**
**Pros**:
✔️ Authentic, durable natural feathers
✔️ Wide color selection in one pack
✔️ Consistent performance across fly patterns
**Cons**:
❌ Higher cost per gram compared to synthetic packs
❌ Limited quantity (2g may suffice only for 20–30 flies)
### **6. Verdict: Is It Worth It?**
For **serious fly tiers**, the **Kylebooker Natural Cock Hackles** strike a balance between quality and affordability. While synthetics or bulk buys may save money upfront, these hackles enhance fly performance and reduce long-term replacements. If you value precision and natural aesthetics, this pack is a **solid investment**.
**Final Rating**: 4.5/5 (Excellent for intermediate to advanced tiers; beginners might prefer larger, cheaper packs for practice).
Would you try this for your next fly-tying project? Share your thoughts below! 🎣