My first soft hackles!

[adglife]

Thanks, Jim, for the materials. Adding hackle is kind of challenging for some reason. Can't wait to get them wet!

[James Smith]

Tony,

They look great and I'm sure that you'll catch plenty of fish with them. I find it much easier to tie in soft hackels at the tip rather than the base of the feather as the shaft of the feather is much thinner and more supple at the tip. To tie in at the tip, first stroke the barbles on both sides of the feather down towards the base of the feather except the top 1/4 inch or so. Then, with the concave side of the feather facing you, strip off the barbles on the right side of the feather. This will leave plenty of feather to make two wraps which is usually all you will need. Now, tie in the tip (the 1/4 inch you didn't stroke back) so that the feather barbels naturally curve back toward the bend of the hook. Make two wraps around the hook shank and tie it off. Once you get used to it, you'll find soft hackels are not only easy to tie, they are also very productive for both warm and cold water fisheries.

Enjoy and let us know how they fish.

Jim

[wet fly guy]

look good . I like the bead chain eyes

[ScottP]

Can't wait to get them wet!

There not just going to get wet, they're going to get slimy from all the fish you catch on them. Nicely done.

Regards,
Scott