Cracklebacks As Soft Hackles

[Lucky Fly]

Good afternoon,

I am coming to Branson in May for a basketball tourney that my son is playing in. Thought I would throw the fly rod in and catch some time below the dam. I was wanting to know if anybody swings cracklebacks below the dam like you would soft hackles. I can't get the knack of tying soft hackles, but love tying cracklebacks (both beadhead and regular.) If you do what size and color is most effective.

thanks

steve

[Wayne SW/MO]

The Crackleback is a good one, but not a substitute for soft hackles. You can swing anything down there as far as woollies go, but scud flies and sow bug patterns rule. You can't go too wrong with some Trout Crack or Hares Ear in assorted colors, of green.

You should work on your soft hackles, if I can tie them, anyone can. The ugly ones outfish the pretty ones sometimes.