thefisherking Posted February 13, 2009 Posted February 13, 2009 I recently picked up some soft hackle flies, but i haven't been able to get out and try them. Just wondering if there's much of a difference between them and regular flies. I have heard that there better for swinging. Quote
murray Posted February 13, 2009 Posted February 13, 2009 I've been using a #14 olive soft hackle with good success for the last couple of summers. Try using it as a dropper tied to a bigger San Juan Worm to get it along the bottom. I imagine a tan colour would work well also. Murray Quote
Taco Posted February 13, 2009 Posted February 13, 2009 love soft hacks hate standard nymphs, I don't think there is a wrong way to fish'em. Sneakin' upstream w/ a real soft short rod, 2 soft hacks tied together and driftin' them through pockets is one of my favorite way to fish anymore. http://californiaflyfishing.blogspot.com/2...-wet-flies.html Quote
flyangler Posted February 13, 2009 Posted February 13, 2009 Not sure what you mean by regular flies. You may know all the things I'm going to tell you, but since your question was brief, bear with me. "Soft-hackle flies" are an old fashioned fish getter tied and fished as subsurface patterns. I like to tie the old classic "Partridge and Orange" with orange ultrawire in place of the floss. They work for me in green, orange, chartreuse, red and gold wires. Wire makes them quick to tie, durable, slightly heavy and attractive to fish and angler alike. They are related to "North Country Spiders" in that they often have no tail and lack the shiny, more stiff type of hackle that will help a dry fly to float. Soft hackle feathers are widely available if you hunt or know hunters who target pheasant, grouse, partridge, quail and that sort of game bird. Good soft hackle feathers have fine, flexible stems and are not overly webby (web is created by hooks on each feather barb that interlock with neighboring barbs). They give the fly bug like movement in the water as the feather flows with the water. Google both the terms in quotation marks above for countless photos, recipes and discussions on their merits. I am a mere student in these matters. Quote
Harps Posted February 13, 2009 Posted February 13, 2009 I love fishing soft hackles!!! Fished down and across... on the swing and they imitate an emerging caddis. In the film (greased), its a crippled mayfly. Bottom bounced- dead drift and its and attractor nymph. Dap them on the surface for emerging diptera. They are my go to fly during a hatch I can't seem to match. They are excellent for drifting towards cover on a small stream... Check out this site for more on the history of soft hackled flies. http://www.flymph.com/ I've been a member of the IBF since we (flyfishermen.com) started it in 2005, although I haven't paid much attention in the past couple years...). Quote
Harps Posted February 13, 2009 Posted February 13, 2009 http://www.dtnicolson.dial.pipex.com/ Oh and check out Donald's Site... He's around 80 and has some of the most amazing flies and wonderful history. Quote
Crogg Posted February 13, 2009 Posted February 13, 2009 I love fishing soft hackle flies. I tie copper johns, prince, pt, and hare's ears all with soft hackles. Either with Partridge or Hen hackle. Something like this around a caddis hatch has been killer for me...I dead drift them and or swing em... http://www.fourseasonsanglers.com/images/S...kleHaresEar.jpg Quote
thefisherking Posted February 14, 2009 Author Posted February 14, 2009 Hey thanks for all great advice! I'm really pumped to give them a try. Those are some nice flies harps. Quote
jack Posted February 14, 2009 Posted February 14, 2009 Soft Hackles are some of my most productive flies, on streams and stillwaters. My very first "go to fly" on a new chunk of water is a product of my imagination : A stillwater and stream favourite(especially on the Columbia River and the Blackwater)Partridge & Pheasant: And the Elk River "killer", last year, the #14 Dusty Miller: j Quote
SilverDoctor Posted February 15, 2009 Posted February 15, 2009 I fish a lot of soft hackles, winged wets and flynphs. Often swinging braces with my Spey rod, although I love running them with a softer action rod. An older fiberglass or one of my bamboo. I find I get better control and hook ups. Been fishing this style of fly since the mid 60's. Love tying the flies, especially winged wets. Haven't done my tying for this year yet, finally finished up my tying commitments so hopefully soon.. Quote
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