Soft Hackle

[Brian K. Shaffer]

I think you nailed it Sims.. that the same way I tie it. Sometimes I strip the hackle off one side of the feather.. if its real webbish. But I try to use good enough bird feathers that webbish hackles isnt an issue.

Like Jeremy mentioned - a grade 1 partridge skin makes a huge difference in the end all result.

Learn to love the SH, G. It should be a go-to fly when risers are a rising and they won't hit the dry.

best fishes - Brian

[Simsmarine]

I'm gonna tie up some fresh ones tonite. What size do you like and what hook do you use.

[Danoinark]

Sims, I tie them in 16 and 18's...and what you are describing is the distribution wrap. Here is a video tutorial about it...Dano

http://www.troutflies.com/tutorials/nest/13.shtml

[Simsmarine]

Yep, that's it. Thanks Dano

[Wayne SW/MO]

I tied some with "Hot" wire, and they look good, but I haven't fished them enough to really form an opinion on them.

[Jeremy Hunt]

I have tied them too with all types of wires. They do work, but not like the ones that actually have the wire spaced to create the right segmentations. The only wire that I have found to really be effective is the gold wire. Tying it like a brassie and then throwing on the collar of partridge. I think that the benefit with wire is the fly will sink a lot faster than the normal ones which is what you are trying to accomplish with this pattern. You want these to sink to the bottom before your presentation is even started. If you really get this pattern emerging right you will hook up more of the time than just casting these out and striping them in. I seen it done both ways, but more importantly is to make the presentation look how the "TROUT" see it not how the fisherman does. Also to fish these real effectively is to fish slack water with little current just enough to move your line down stream. And if you are fishing these in chop water or even fast water your chances of hooking up a lot are slim to none. The fish can't really see them as much because the current is to fast for how small the fly is you are fishing looks to the trout. The other reason is that chop creates to much disturbance on or just under column that you fly gets hidden in all that. So it makes it harder for the fish to see it. I hope this helps some of you on the next time you fish soft hackles.

[Danoinark]

Jeremy have you ever added lead wire then covered the body.and added the rib..seems this would help make them sink quicker. ....Dano

[Brian K. Shaffer]

" And if you are fishing these in chop water or even fast water your chances of hooking up a lot are slim to none. "

Jeremy - I'm not sure about that. Take for instance the fast sections at either upper or lower Rim Shoals. I have slayed the trout there on soft hackles during certain slow periods of caddis hatches.

I believe that if the trout know any hatch is coming or on or just finishing.. they will take soft hackles in all types of water, slow of fast.

best fishes - Brian

[Wayne SW/MO]

I have a tendency to fish them in fast water also, swinging them like a woolly. I have done well at times. Orange is my best color for some reason. I suppose the wire does add weight, but i don't know that it affects it that much in faster water.

I know that the proper way to fish them has always escaped me for some reason.