Tell me about SOFT-HACKLES

[ausable_ny]

Hi all,

Some of you might remember when I logged-on here last year I mentioned I was out of fly fishing for many years and have just recently re-found myself. I have never fished soft-hackles, always relying on either drys, nymphs or streamers. They are supposed to simulate emergers, correct?, and by reading I surmise they are supposed to be fished downstream on a swing much like streamers. Am I on the right track here? What else should I know before attempting to fish them next year? What patterns and sizes are popular where and when..remember, I'm in the northeast. I figure if anyone has these answers, it will be the members here. I can't begin to tell you all how much I've learned from people here in the past year. How can you not love FAOL. Thanks in advance.

Ken