Soft Hackle Question

[zimrx17]

I think I have read the entire fly-tying section by Al Campbell, one pattern that I would like to learn how to tie is the soft hackle using partridge. They are a good pattern for here in Missouri, what are some good "types" of partridge, and how much should I get? It seems they are expensive, are there alternatives, or to get a good fly do you need this. Also any other patterns that illustrate the tying of these patterns would be great. Thanks.
Drew

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A bum-legged old man and a drunk. That's all you got?
That's WHAT I got.

[rainbowchaser]

When a patttern calls for partridge it usually means hungarian partridge. The best way to get it is to buy an entire skin if you can't shoot one in your area this fall. Feathers from other game birds such as ruffled grouse or chuckar also work well. If you bag a bird that isn't too shot up just skin it and dry the skin with borax.

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all leaders tangle; mine are just better at it than most. Jim

[DUB]

Hi Drew. There are some soft hackle patterns in the Fly of The Week archives. [url=http://flyanglersonline.com/flytying/fotw2/archive.html:7a106]http://flyanglersonline.com/flytying/fotw2/archive.html[/url:7a106]
There are also alot of recipes for Soft Hackles at this site. [url=http://www.danica.com/flytier/:7a106]http://www.danica.com/flytier/[/url:7a106]
Hen (chicken) is a great alternative to game birds as a source for feathers, as is Starling.
Hope this helps,
Wayne
One other thing, heres a pattern that shows step by step instructions on how to tie a Soft Hackle. [url=http://www.danica.com/flytier/steps/poe/poe.htm:7a106]http://www.danica.com/flytier/steps/poe/poe.htm[/url:7a106]

[This message has been edited by DUB (edited 22 May 2005).]

zim... I love tying and fishing soft hackles. One thing I have found is if at all possible, buy the skins and not the pre-packaged feathers. I have read somewhere that the skins hold oils even after being processed so the hackle stem stays softer and wraps better than the bagged feather where the stem can dry out and split.


Mike

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There is no greater fan of flyfishing than the worm.


Patrick McManus

[DrRob]

If you're looking for proper Soft Hackles try this. [url=http://www.snipeandpurple.co.uk/:7c2cf]http://www.snipeandpurple.co.uk/[/url:7c2cf]

[jking]

Dave Hughes' book Wet Flies is a good reference. It has a brief history, tying instructions, good photos and notes on material selection.

Stu Farnham did a review of it here. [url=http://www.flyanglersonline.com/stufarnham/stu042902.html:994bd]http://www.flyanglersonline.com/stufarnham/stu042902.html[/url:994bd]


John

[BigCliff]

The Hungarian partridge skins are expensive, but I bet you could get 400 flies out of one skin if you put all the feathers to work.

[Fly_Line]

This is my goto fly: [url=http://www.ozarkangler.com/education/lesson06.html:fd6b3]http://www.ozarkangler.com/education/lesson06.html[/url:fd6b3]

[zimrx17]

Thanks again to everyone, tied a couple of soft hackles last night, didn't turn out too bad. I used some hen neck soft hackle, and ordered a partridge from one of the sponsers, kept it in "the family", also cost less. When I get my digital camera I will take a picture of my creations, it is really quite fun to tie these.
Thanks again.
Drew

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A bum-legged old man and a drunk. That's all you got?
That's WHAT I got.

[Donald Nicolson]

If you are interested, here are the results of a Softhackle swap and a Flymph swap held here on FAOL.
The Softhackle [url=http://www.dtnicolson.dial.pipex.com/page28.html:c1fc5]http://www.dtnicolson.dial.pipex.com/page28.html[/url:c1fc5]

The Flymph swap [url=http://www.dtnicolson.dial.pipex.com/page30.html:c1fc5]http://www.dtnicolson.dial.pipex.com/page30.html[/url:c1fc5]

The Softhackle is on one page but the flymph is on several, I just needed an excuse to use my camera.

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Donald/Scotland