For more than 30 years the Simple Soft Hackle has done an outstanding job for me matching the Caddis Pupa. Peacock& Partridge, Muskrat Flymph, and a Tan soft hackle have accounted for the majority of fish. These patterns are tyed with natural material so, I have never had to worry about a certain sparkly thread, or shiny yarn being discontinued, that would put an end to the patterns effectiveness.
That being said, I did try some synthetic materials this past Spring on a different type of pupa. I am not saying the synthetics did better than the naturals, but they were good to me starting last Spring, and continuing to the present.
Hook - Scud, size 18-10
Thread - UTC70, Veevus 14/0, Bennechi 12/0 or Griffith Sheer. Any thread that is easily split
Abdomen/Tail -Ultra Chenille
Thorax - Synthetic or natural dubbing in a split thread
Collar - Hen Hackle
I fish them dredging the bottom most of the time. Euro nymphing or under an indicator. At times I fish them in the film, but not often. For the next few weeks I will fish them down and across when I see the trout chasing Caddis. Just depends on the river and situation. Very versatile patterns just like Soft Hackles
Nice flies Dub. I’m sure there will always be a sparkly yarn around. The discussions about the exact material originally used by LaFontaine, I think, was more about historical accuracy of his original patterns.
By the way, I have found, in small to medium streams, if you wade near the middle of the stream, you can cast toward the bank on your left and let the fly drift down and then swing across current till straight below. Then, do the same in the other half of the stream. Then take a few steps downstream and repeat.
You end up covering all the water and likely feeding fish.
I was trying to provide a tip for fishing soft hackle type patterns that may not be so obvious to everyone. I have seen many fishermen, in small streams, casting only to one side of the stream as they wade down the stream.
Probably not particularly nice to be razzing folks?
Even in the late 80’s the simple Soft Hackle/Flymphs did better for me than glitzy patterns. They still do. For me.
Rarely on the rivers that I fish can I not find a Soft Hackle that will work wonders. The combinations and variations seem endless to me. So glad that I never chased the gimmicks. To each their own.
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