FOTW, Nice looking soft hackle

[rons81]

The fly of the the week is a nice looking soft hackle. I'll defiantly tie a few of these for my next trip.

Thanks Jeff

[Ron Eagle Elk]

I agree, great fly and well dressed. Great job, Jeff. Appreciate the history of the fly as well.

[Eight Thumbs]

You'll get no argument from me! Very nice fly. 8T

[Rex S]

Count me among the group of soft hackle lovers. When I saw John's pictures of this fly I meant to whip out a few. Glad it came up again to prod me back to the vice.
Rex

[JeffHamm]

Thanks guys!

This has been a great producer for me and one I share around a lot. John's done an amazing job with it, and from the sounds of things his olive body version is really working well during BWO hatches. Starling hackles are very black with a sheen to them at the tips, and further down they turn a nice dusty grey dun colour. Both "ends" work great for soft hackles. And the quill feathers on the wings make good slips for small winged flies.

- Jeff

[Ron Eagle Elk]

So I take it I'll have a lot of participants for the next wet fly swap? Couldn't be better.

REE

[Warm Water Fly Fisher]

yup, looks good i'll give em a try for sure

[cholcomb13]

Great fly Jeff....REE...count me in

[Jeremy]

So I take it I'll have a lot of participants for the next wet fly swap? Couldn't be better.

REE

Yup....and I'm just a-hoping that my new vice gets to my front door in the interim so I can be included in time. If not, then next time for sure! No sweat.

Agreed, Jeff, that's a fine little fly. I love Starling hackle. The irridescent tinges of color against that shiny black is a favorite.

I've tied this fly with the starling tied in by the butt which gives you some really webby, sort of a dull hackle and I think I prefer to do it as shown here. Plus, if you get a bit creative you can also not snip off that tiny hackle tip and fold it back to simulate a "wing" as in a winged wet if you wish.

Cool looking fly and very productive!

Jeremy.

edit...Ron, ...going out on a limb here. Don't (do not) hold up any swap for me...it might be awhile! And P.S. -Thanks for the yak!

[JeffHamm]

Hi Jeremy,

That's a great idea about folding the tip back to form a wing. Must try that out on a few! Thanks for the idea.

And I bet the more dun coloured hackle will work well, though I'm partial to the dark hackle on this one. I often use the grey butt end for starling and purples; basically anywhere you would use snipe.

- Jeff