Partridge and Orange

All about flies Fly Tying
1

I am pretty new to tying and was wondering how long the partridge hackles should be on the partridge and orange; to the bend? past the bend?

Thanks in advance

2

Welcome aboard Bucky. Appx 2x the hook gap.

3

Bucky,
Make sure and don’t over-hackle it. (Sparse)
Welcome to the BB!
Doug

4

Thanks for the quick response! I had been tying the hackles a little too long it seems but not by much. I need to get some new partridge hackles i think as i only have a small piece of the skin given to me by my uncle (who taught me how to tie flies, though he did not teach me any soft hackles) and all of the feathers are too large for anything over a size 10 maybe 12 hook.

Thanks again.

5

if you look at the Partridge and Hare’s Ear in the fly of the week arhchives you will see a good example of what a soft hackle should look like,

(note mine dont look anything like this but I am working on it)

:?

Eric

6

Thanks Eric. After looking at that fly, my hackles don’t seem quite as out of proportion as i was thinking they were. The fly still doesnt look that good, but its gotta start somewhere.

7

Like doug said, be sparse!
1-2 Turns at the MOST any more and its over done.

8

Bucky,
One of the best investments I made was to buy a purchase a AAA grade Partridge Skin. You won’t be sorry!
Doug

9

yes, any fly is easier with a GOOD hackle.

Especially Dry Flies

10

Thanks again for all of the input!

11

Chris,
What is that smiley?
Bucky,
Besides orange floss, use hare’s ear dubbing also.
Doug

12

That smilie would be…A happy one…

13

Another good proportion is to use hackle that is as long as the total hook length. A good partridge skin is a great investment. I find that the best and smallest mottled hackle come from the area between the wings on the skin. Especially if you are looking for brownish hackle.
Jim

14

[quote=“DShock”]

Chris,
What is that smiley?
Bucky,
Besides orange floss, use hare’s ear dubbing also.
Doug[/quote]
Chris, There are purple things growing out of it’s head! :shock:

Bucky,
The Soft Hackle Hare’s Ear is a killer fly! One time I fished with two on the leader and caught 2 trout at the same time, 3 times.
Have Fun!
Doug

15

[quote=“DShock”]

[quote=DShock]

Chris,
What is that smiley?
Bucky,
Besides orange floss, use hare’s ear dubbing also.
Doug[/quote]
Chris, There are purple things growing out of it’s head! :shock:

Bucky,
The Soft Hackle Hare’s Ear is a killer fly! One time I fished with two on the leader and caught 2 trout at the same time, 3 times.
Have Fun!
Doug[/quote]

Its a hat as far as I know. Like one a jester wears.

16

That’s RIGHT! It’s been a while since I’ve seen a Jester!
Thanks,
Doug :smiley:

17

Thanks for the advice, all. I have never fished a soft hackle nut I hear that they are money in the bank, so I figured I would try and tie some for next time I get out on the water.

18

Bucky,
If your going to fish the soft hackle fly in a river, ask on the BB how to fish it, since I’ve only used it on stillwater.
Doug

19

In those big wet fly threads a while back there was a bunch of talk about fishing them in rivers.

20

Bucky – I had a feeling you were a Wisconsin boy. Go Badgers!