"An unusual fly-pattern so defined by Datus Proper in What the
Trout Said (1982). "A large, soft hackle - such as dyed French Partridge - is
wound on shiny-side forward, supported by a small, stiff cock's hackle
out of sight behind the main hackle. The function of the stiff hackle is
purely mechanical; it strengthens the middle of the soft hackle, while the
soft tips bend backwards around the point of the hook. The fly floats
on the bends of the soft hackle fibers. Nothing at all penetrates the
surface film, something difficult to achieve with any other pattern. A
good fly flotant helps to keep the soft fibers from soaking up water
instantly. At best, however, the bent-hackle fly is suitable for only
a few casts over a rising fish - but that should be enough."
This design, decades old, duplicated the French dry flies that wear palmer
hackles that support long, soft shoulder hackles. One such pattern,
the Plumeaux (Feather Duster), sports a long-barbed,
yellow mallard breast feather supported by reddish brown hackles.
See French Fishing Flies (1987) by Jean-Paul Pequegnot for
other examples."
~ LadyFisher
Credits: Quotes from Fly Fisher's Illustrated Dictionary,
by Darrel Martin, published by The Lyons Press, 123 West 18 Street,
New York, NY 10011
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