Tying and Fishing Soft Hackles

[Byron haugh]

I have been a big fan of soft hackle flies ever since reading Sylvester Nemes' little books. The first one, as far as I am aware, was published in '75 and I enjoyed it a lot...it was The Soft-hackled fly".. It got me into tying and fishing softies. The book contained a color photo of 14 of his patterns representing the pre-emerged state of 14 different mayflies. I loved the look of the flies. I was fortunate enough to get those same 14 flies, tied by Nemes himself in a little fly box. I still look at them from time to time.

He wrote several other little books. One of my favorites, though, was his little book on soft-hackle spinners. Again, I was able to get a brace of his hand tied spinner patterns. Love looking at them.

Anyway, in his memory, I am tying some of my own little softies. This one is to be used before, during, and after a PMD hatch. Very simple little flies, but quite effective. AND, they can be false casted a few times and then offered as a dry fly to risers. It really does work that way. Sort of imitates a cripple.

I recognize that I prefer a little more robust and "harrier" softie than most. Just my personal preference.

[Uncle Jesse]

Forrest Wood, who is a well known bass fisherman and developer of the Ranger bass boat, said "I catch more fish with a plastic grub by accident, than with anything else on purpose." I believe in the fly fishing realm the same could be said for the soft hackle. On any given day another fly may catch more fish, but day in and day out I can probably catch more fish with a soft hackle than anything else.

[planettrout]

Byron,

When you get a chance, give a look at some of Allen McGee's SH patterns:

http://allenmcgee.blogspot.com/

PT/TB

[Byron haugh]

The 14 flies tied by Syl Nemes' hands:

[AlanB]

If it wasn't for the four with thoraxes behind the hackle they could pass for North Country spiders. (On NCS's the thorax would be eye side of the hackle). I'm surprised as I was told the hackles on soft hackles are far heavier than NCS.
Cheers,
A.

[narcodog]

If it wasn't for the four with thoraxes behind the hackle they could pass for North Country spiders. (On NCS's the thorax would be eye side of the hackle). I'm surprised as I was told the hackles on soft hackles are far heavier than NCS.
Cheers,
A.

Alan, I was just reading Fogg and he advocates a small bump behind the hackle to keep the hackle from laying flat against the hook shank. Also many of the old patterns call for just one to two wraps of hackle, never more.

[lastchance]

The 14 flies tied by Syl Nemes' hands:

What a treasure to own. Thanks for posting

[pillcaster]

What a treasure to own. Thanks for posting

Amen. How cool it would be to inspect those babies.....