Wooly Buggers

[RexW]

I don't think there are any rules when it comes to Wooly Buggers. There is a lot variation in what folks call a "Wooly Bugger".

Personally, I use a mixture of feather types depending on what I have available in the right color and size while I'm tying.

[chewydog]

Only reason I see to use hen or webby hackle would be it unjulates better in current or when stripped. But, I'm not a fish.

[Panman]

On small flies I use Emu Feathers or Ostrich plumes.

Tim

[redietz]

There seem to be several schools of thought on the issue. One is that stiffer hackle moves more water and gets the fish's attention. The other is that softer hackle undulates more and gets the fish's attention. Both could be right, depending on circumstance, and how you fish the fly. (E.g. I don't see much point in stiffer hackle if you're fishing it dead drift under an indicator, but stripping it as a streamer might be a different story.)

[Gigmaster]

I dunno. I usually use eyelash yarn. Or sometimes a dubbing brush. I try to save my feathers for streamers.

[Grn Mt Man]

Don't remember who posted this or where I first saw it; but, it changed the way I tie my buggers now. I add about six strands of "Flashabou" (Rainbow) and tie it into the tail and leave some extra strands hanging while completing the body and hackle. Then, I take a couple of twists to the "Flashabou" and wind it up through the body and pass it in between the hackle wraps to just behind the hook eye and tie off. When wet looks to me like a flashy minnow or something similar. Anyhoo - it accounted for my biggest trout ever about two years ago. A 28" brown between 11 and 12 pounds. Cut him loose to live another day. Tie 'em all that way now.