Soft Hackle Flies
 

I am looking for a good Pattern book for Soft-Hackled Flies. I already have
the book Two Centuries of Soft-Hackled Flies by Sylvester Nemes but would
like yet another. If you know of any better I would appreciate your
suggestions. Thanks in advance.

--
Tight Lines & Great Memories
Stuart DeWolfe

Soft Hackle Flies
 

"Stuart DeWolfe" wrote in message
. ..
I am looking for a good Pattern book for Soft-Hackled Flies. I already
have
the book Two Centuries of Soft-Hackled Flies by Sylvester Nemes but would
like yet another. If you know of any better I would appreciate your
suggestions. Thanks in advance.

--
Tight Lines & Great Memories
Stuart DeWolfe



Leslie Magee "Fly Fishing - The North Country Tradition" and Roger Fogg "The
Handbook of North Country Flies". ...

TL
MC

Soft Hackle Flies
 

"Stuart DeWolfe" wrote in message
. ..
I am looking for a good Pattern book for Soft-Hackled Flies. I already
have
the book Two Centuries of Soft-Hackled Flies by Sylvester Nemes but would
like yet another. If you know of any better I would appreciate your
suggestions. Thanks in advance.

--
Tight Lines & Great Memories
Stuart DeWolfe



Leslie Magee "Fly Fishing - The North Country Tradition" and Roger Fogg "The
Handbook of North Country Flies". ...

TL
MC

Soft Hackle Flies
 

Stuart DeWolfe wrote:

I am looking for a good Pattern book for Soft-Hackled Flies. I already have
the book Two Centuries of Soft-Hackled Flies by Sylvester Nemes but would
like yet another. If you know of any better I would appreciate your
suggestions. Thanks in advance.


Although soft hackles are great (and fun to fish) searching patterns, I
find myself using soft hackles more and more often on surface feeding
fish when I can't get them to take a dry or feel they are feeding on
emergers. For these match the hatch type soft hackles, I usually modify
a nymph pattern that is usually good for the given hatch.

I think there's lot of room for experimentation with soft hackles. Many of
the established patterns are old and were developed in England for the
hatches there. Not that that's bad, it's just that there aren't many
patterns
around developed to imitate American hatches.

Willi

Soft Hackle Flies
 

Stuart DeWolfe wrote:

I am looking for a good Pattern book for Soft-Hackled Flies. I already have
the book Two Centuries of Soft-Hackled Flies by Sylvester Nemes but would
like yet another. If you know of any better I would appreciate your
suggestions. Thanks in advance.


Although soft hackles are great (and fun to fish) searching patterns, I
find myself using soft hackles more and more often on surface feeding
fish when I can't get them to take a dry or feel they are feeding on
emergers. For these match the hatch type soft hackles, I usually modify
a nymph pattern that is usually good for the given hatch.

I think there's lot of room for experimentation with soft hackles. Many of
the established patterns are old and were developed in England for the
hatches there. Not that that's bad, it's just that there aren't many
patterns
around developed to imitate American hatches.

Willi

Soft Hackle Flies
 

Stuart DeWolfe wrote:

I am looking for a good Pattern book for Soft-Hackled Flies. I already have
the book Two Centuries of Soft-Hackled Flies by Sylvester Nemes but would
like yet another. If you know of any better I would appreciate your
suggestions. Thanks in advance.


Although soft hackles are great (and fun to fish) searching patterns, I
find myself using soft hackles more and more often on surface feeding
fish when I can't get them to take a dry or feel they are feeding on
emergers. For these match the hatch type soft hackles, I usually modify
a nymph pattern that is usually good for the given hatch.

I think there's lot of room for experimentation with soft hackles. Many of
the established patterns are old and were developed in England for the
hatches there. Not that that's bad, it's just that there aren't many
patterns
around developed to imitate American hatches.

Willi

Soft Hackle Flies
 

Stuart wrote:snipI am looking for a good Pattern book for Soft-Hackled Flies.
I already have
the book Two Centuries of Soft-Hackled Flies by Sylvester Nemes but would
like yet another

This is not a pattern book, But Dave Hughes wrote a book called Wet Flies that
was copyrighted back in 1995. It was responsible for my addiction to tying and
fishing soft hackle flies. Don't forget to tie a few of the pattern called the
red ass. There is something about the combination of peacock and partridge with
a little of the color red thrown in that a lot of fish seem to find attractive.
Even with the old style of soft hackle flies I sometimes have about three
fibers of z-lon as a mini trailing shuck. I have conned myself into thinking
that this sometimes makes a difference.

Big Dale

Soft Hackle Flies
 

Stuart wrote:snipI am looking for a good Pattern book for Soft-Hackled Flies.
I already have
the book Two Centuries of Soft-Hackled Flies by Sylvester Nemes but would
like yet another

This is not a pattern book, But Dave Hughes wrote a book called Wet Flies that
was copyrighted back in 1995. It was responsible for my addiction to tying and
fishing soft hackle flies. Don't forget to tie a few of the pattern called the
red ass. There is something about the combination of peacock and partridge with
a little of the color red thrown in that a lot of fish seem to find attractive.
Even with the old style of soft hackle flies I sometimes have about three
fibers of z-lon as a mini trailing shuck. I have conned myself into thinking
that this sometimes makes a difference.

Big Dale

Soft Hackle Flies
 

Stuart wrote:snipI am looking for a good Pattern book for Soft-Hackled Flies.
I already have
the book Two Centuries of Soft-Hackled Flies by Sylvester Nemes but would
like yet another

This is not a pattern book, But Dave Hughes wrote a book called Wet Flies that
was copyrighted back in 1995. It was responsible for my addiction to tying and
fishing soft hackle flies. Don't forget to tie a few of the pattern called the
red ass. There is something about the combination of peacock and partridge with
a little of the color red thrown in that a lot of fish seem to find attractive.
Even with the old style of soft hackle flies I sometimes have about three
fibers of z-lon as a mini trailing shuck. I have conned myself into thinking
that this sometimes makes a difference.

Big Dale

Soft Hackle Flies
 

Big Dale,

If I recall correctly, you are from California correct?

Dustin


"Big Dale" wrote in message
...
Stuart wrote:snipI am looking for a good Pattern book for Soft-Hackled
Flies.
I already have
the book Two Centuries of Soft-Hackled Flies by Sylvester Nemes but would
like yet another

This is not a pattern book, But Dave Hughes wrote a book called Wet Flies
that
was copyrighted back in 1995. It was responsible for my addiction to tying
and
fishing soft hackle flies. Don't forget to tie a few of the pattern called
the
red ass. There is something about the combination of peacock and partridge
with
a little of the color red thrown in that a lot of fish seem to find
attractive.
Even with the old style of soft hackle flies I sometimes have about three
fibers of z-lon as a mini trailing shuck. I have conned myself into
thinking
that this sometimes makes a difference.

Big Dale

Soft Hackle Flies
 

Big Dale,

If I recall correctly, you are from California correct?

Dustin


"Big Dale" wrote in message
...
Stuart wrote:snipI am looking for a good Pattern book for Soft-Hackled
Flies.
I already have
the book Two Centuries of Soft-Hackled Flies by Sylvester Nemes but would
like yet another

This is not a pattern book, But Dave Hughes wrote a book called Wet Flies
that
was copyrighted back in 1995. It was responsible for my addiction to tying
and
fishing soft hackle flies. Don't forget to tie a few of the pattern called
the
red ass. There is something about the combination of peacock and partridge
with
a little of the color red thrown in that a lot of fish seem to find
attractive.
Even with the old style of soft hackle flies I sometimes have about three
fibers of z-lon as a mini trailing shuck. I have conned myself into
thinking
that this sometimes makes a difference.

Big Dale

Soft Hackle Flies
 

"Willi & Sue" wrote

I think there's lot of room for experimentation with soft hackles. Many of
the established patterns are old and were developed in England for the
hatches there. Not that that's bad, it's just that there aren't many
patterns
around developed to imitate American hatches.



Nemes has a book, "Soft Hackle Imitations" ( I think is the title ) that
does some work along these lines. Borger and Hughes also mention soft
hackles fished for specific hatches

This is something with great potential, imho, and I, too, spend a lot of
time fishing soft hackle flies to rising fish. Indeed, I'd say that 90% of
the time a riser will take a soft hackle, IN the film, that comes close to
the size of the natural even if nothing else seems close to the naturals.
SHs
that were closely matched to the hatch would be damn deadly, indeed

Willi, I've given up on the idea of "claves" and such and probably will
never meet you, ... I'm too much of a loner ... but I sure wish we lived
close enough to compare notes on this, as a season went from bug to bug.

This summer I walked down the hill from my trailer to the HFork nearly every
night to try slight variations of a "muskrat and partridge" size 18 on the
evening rise ... basically EVERY fish I could cover with a good drift and a
good "float" took ... but getting a float that lasted more than a single
fish or even a few casts without one is something I never achieved ....
exactly the kind of challenge that drives one both nuts and back the vise,
over and over

Soft Hackle Flies
 

"Willi & Sue" wrote

I think there's lot of room for experimentation with soft hackles. Many of
the established patterns are old and were developed in England for the
hatches there. Not that that's bad, it's just that there aren't many
patterns
around developed to imitate American hatches.



Nemes has a book, "Soft Hackle Imitations" ( I think is the title ) that
does some work along these lines. Borger and Hughes also mention soft
hackles fished for specific hatches

This is something with great potential, imho, and I, too, spend a lot of
time fishing soft hackle flies to rising fish. Indeed, I'd say that 90% of
the time a riser will take a soft hackle, IN the film, that comes close to
the size of the natural even if nothing else seems close to the naturals.
SHs
that were closely matched to the hatch would be damn deadly, indeed

Willi, I've given up on the idea of "claves" and such and probably will
never meet you, ... I'm too much of a loner ... but I sure wish we lived
close enough to compare notes on this, as a season went from bug to bug.

This summer I walked down the hill from my trailer to the HFork nearly every
night to try slight variations of a "muskrat and partridge" size 18 on the
evening rise ... basically EVERY fish I could cover with a good drift and a
good "float" took ... but getting a float that lasted more than a single
fish or even a few casts without one is something I never achieved ....
exactly the kind of challenge that drives one both nuts and back the vise,
over and over

Soft Hackle Flies
 

"Willi & Sue" wrote

I think there's lot of room for experimentation with soft hackles. Many of
the established patterns are old and were developed in England for the
hatches there. Not that that's bad, it's just that there aren't many
patterns
around developed to imitate American hatches.



Nemes has a book, "Soft Hackle Imitations" ( I think is the title ) that
does some work along these lines. Borger and Hughes also mention soft
hackles fished for specific hatches

This is something with great potential, imho, and I, too, spend a lot of
time fishing soft hackle flies to rising fish. Indeed, I'd say that 90% of
the time a riser will take a soft hackle, IN the film, that comes close to
the size of the natural even if nothing else seems close to the naturals.
SHs
that were closely matched to the hatch would be damn deadly, indeed

Willi, I've given up on the idea of "claves" and such and probably will
never meet you, ... I'm too much of a loner ... but I sure wish we lived
close enough to compare notes on this, as a season went from bug to bug.

This summer I walked down the hill from my trailer to the HFork nearly every
night to try slight variations of a "muskrat and partridge" size 18 on the
evening rise ... basically EVERY fish I could cover with a good drift and a
good "float" took ... but getting a float that lasted more than a single
fish or even a few casts without one is something I never achieved ....
exactly the kind of challenge that drives one both nuts and back the vise,
over and over

Soft Hackle Flies
 

Larry L wrote:

Willi, I've given up on the idea of "claves" and such and probably will
never meet you, ... I'm too much of a loner ... but I sure wish we lived
close enough to compare notes on this, as a season went from bug to bug.

If you've given up on Claves, then the chances of us getting together is
slim (unless you come to CO) because virtually all the fishing I do out of
State is at Claves or informal get togethers with people I've met at
Claves.
There are people from time to time who attend Claves from a distance.
They don't stay in the same places as the other people and they only
drop by
occasionally either to fish or to talk or .... Think they generally
feel welcome.
There are no rules or requirements but it's best if you don't act like TOO
much of an asshole.


This summer I walked down the hill from my trailer to the HFork nearly every
night to try slight variations of a "muskrat and partridge" size 18 on the
evening rise ... basically EVERY fish I could cover with a good drift and a
good "float" took ... but getting a float that lasted more than a single
fish or even a few casts without one is something I never achieved ....
exactly the kind of challenge that drives one both nuts and back the vise,
over and over

I don't understand, if every fish took, why are you looking for a better
fly?

Willi

Soft Hackle Flies
 

Larry L wrote:

Willi, I've given up on the idea of "claves" and such and probably will
never meet you, ... I'm too much of a loner ... but I sure wish we lived
close enough to compare notes on this, as a season went from bug to bug.

If you've given up on Claves, then the chances of us getting together is
slim (unless you come to CO) because virtually all the fishing I do out of
State is at Claves or informal get togethers with people I've met at
Claves.
There are people from time to time who attend Claves from a distance.
They don't stay in the same places as the other people and they only
drop by
occasionally either to fish or to talk or .... Think they generally
feel welcome.
There are no rules or requirements but it's best if you don't act like TOO
much of an asshole.


This summer I walked down the hill from my trailer to the HFork nearly every
night to try slight variations of a "muskrat and partridge" size 18 on the
evening rise ... basically EVERY fish I could cover with a good drift and a
good "float" took ... but getting a float that lasted more than a single
fish or even a few casts without one is something I never achieved ....
exactly the kind of challenge that drives one both nuts and back the vise,
over and over

I don't understand, if every fish took, why are you looking for a better
fly?

Willi

Soft Hackle Flies
 

Willi & Sue wrote in
:

Larry L wrote:

Willi, I've given up on the idea of "claves" and such and probably
will never meet you, ... I'm too much of a loner ... but I sure wish
we lived close enough to compare notes on this, as a season went from
bug to bug.

If you've given up on Claves, then the chances of us getting together
is slim (unless you come to CO) because virtually all the fishing I do
out of State is at Claves or informal get togethers with people I've
met at Claves.
There are people from time to time who attend Claves from a distance.
... basically EVERY fish I
could cover with a good drift and a good "float" took ... but getting
a float that lasted more than a single fish or even a few casts
without one is something I never achieved .... exactly the kind of
challenge that drives one both nuts and back the vise, over and over

I don't understand, if every fish took, why are you looking for a
better fly?


I think they tend to be one fish flys i.e. don't sit in the film after
sliming or several drifts. It doesn't parse well though ... but otoh
at least it on topic

Steve (carefully checking group ...)

Soft Hackle Flies
 

Willi & Sue wrote in
:

Larry L wrote:

Willi, I've given up on the idea of "claves" and such and probably
will never meet you, ... I'm too much of a loner ... but I sure wish
we lived close enough to compare notes on this, as a season went from
bug to bug.

If you've given up on Claves, then the chances of us getting together
is slim (unless you come to CO) because virtually all the fishing I do
out of State is at Claves or informal get togethers with people I've
met at Claves.
There are people from time to time who attend Claves from a distance.
... basically EVERY fish I
could cover with a good drift and a good "float" took ... but getting
a float that lasted more than a single fish or even a few casts
without one is something I never achieved .... exactly the kind of
challenge that drives one both nuts and back the vise, over and over

I don't understand, if every fish took, why are you looking for a
better fly?


I think they tend to be one fish flys i.e. don't sit in the film after
sliming or several drifts. It doesn't parse well though ... but otoh
at least it on topic

Steve (carefully checking group ...)

Soft Hackle Flies
 

"Stephen Welsh" wrote


I think they tend to be one fish flys i.e. don't sit in the film after
sliming or several drifts.

yeah, what he said ...

Soft Hackle Flies
 

"Stephen Welsh" wrote


I think they tend to be one fish flys i.e. don't sit in the film after
sliming or several drifts.

yeah, what he said ...

Soft Hackle Flies
 

Dustin wrote:Big Dale,

If I recall correctly, you are from California correct?

Dustin


Nope. I am still living in the Dallas area.

Big Dale

Soft Hackle Flies
 

Dustin wrote:Big Dale,

If I recall correctly, you are from California correct?

Dustin


Nope. I am still living in the Dallas area.

Big Dale

Soft Hackle Flies
 

"Larry L" wrote in news:ItZdd.733871
:


"Stephen Welsh" wrote


I think they tend to be one fish flys i.e. don't sit in the film after
sliming or several drifts.

yeah, what he said ...



Have you tried Frog's Fanny?

Scott

Soft Hackle Flies
 

"Larry L" wrote in news:ItZdd.733871
:


"Stephen Welsh" wrote


I think they tend to be one fish flys i.e. don't sit in the film after
sliming or several drifts.

yeah, what he said ...



Have you tried Frog's Fanny?

Scott

Soft Hackle Flies
 

"Stephen Welsh" wrote


I think they tend to be one fish flys i.e. don't sit in the film after
sliming or several drifts.

yeah, what he said ...

Soft Hackle Flies
 

"Stephen Welsh" wrote


I think they tend to be one fish flys i.e. don't sit in the film after
sliming or several drifts.

yeah, what he said ...

Soft Hackle Flies
 

"Scott Seidman" wrote



Have you tried Frog's Fanny?

yep, love it, the last time I bought some I got three bottles because the
time before that when I went looking all the stores were out .... don't
leave home without it


I also tried tying a bit of foam as a wing, and using a CDC underwing and
WaterShed and duck preen oil and .....

the plain old muskrat and partridge caught fish ... for a fish or two ...
all modifications were less appealing to the fish ...if the fly floats TOO
well, fish wouldn't take it ... has to be IN the film with just a barb or
two of partridge showing

the goal became to find a pattern/ floatant that worked very well, ala M&P,
but didn't require much maintanence Using more time maintaining than
fishing was obviously a problem at last light, surrounded by rising fish,
getting dark quick .... the elegant solution would fish with less hassle
than the M&P but be just as tasty looking to the prey

Soft Hackle Flies
 

"Scott Seidman" wrote



Have you tried Frog's Fanny?

yep, love it, the last time I bought some I got three bottles because the
time before that when I went looking all the stores were out .... don't
leave home without it


I also tried tying a bit of foam as a wing, and using a CDC underwing and
WaterShed and duck preen oil and .....

the plain old muskrat and partridge caught fish ... for a fish or two ...
all modifications were less appealing to the fish ...if the fly floats TOO
well, fish wouldn't take it ... has to be IN the film with just a barb or
two of partridge showing

the goal became to find a pattern/ floatant that worked very well, ala M&P,
but didn't require much maintanence Using more time maintaining than
fishing was obviously a problem at last light, surrounded by rising fish,
getting dark quick .... the elegant solution would fish with less hassle
than the M&P but be just as tasty looking to the prey

Soft Hackle Flies
 

"Larry L" wrote in message
...
SNIP
the goal became to find a pattern/ floatant that worked very well, ala
M&P,
but didn't require much maintanence Using more time maintaining than
fishing was obviously a problem at last light, surrounded by rising fish,
getting dark quick .... the elegant solution would fish with less hassle
than the M&P but be just as tasty looking to the prey




Mix deer hair with the muskrat. This will float in the film without any
maintenance at all. One may also simply use deer hair alone. Spin it and
trim it. Such a fly is basically unsinkable, and also floats very low.

TL
MC

Soft Hackle Flies
 

"Larry L" wrote in message
...
SNIP
the goal became to find a pattern/ floatant that worked very well, ala
M&P,
but didn't require much maintanence Using more time maintaining than
fishing was obviously a problem at last light, surrounded by rising fish,
getting dark quick .... the elegant solution would fish with less hassle
than the M&P but be just as tasty looking to the prey




Mix deer hair with the muskrat. This will float in the film without any
maintenance at all. One may also simply use deer hair alone. Spin it and
trim it. Such a fly is basically unsinkable, and also floats very low.

TL
MC

Soft Hackle Flies
 

Larry L wrote:

the goal became to find a pattern/ floatant that worked very well, ala M&P,
but didn't require much maintanence Using more time maintaining than
fishing was obviously a problem at last light, surrounded by rising fish,
getting dark quick .... the elegant solution would fish with less hassle
than the M&P but be just as tasty looking to the prey


Wouldn't they take the fly just under the surface?

Willi

Soft Hackle Flies
 

Larry L wrote:

the goal became to find a pattern/ floatant that worked very well, ala M&P,
but didn't require much maintanence Using more time maintaining than
fishing was obviously a problem at last light, surrounded by rising fish,
getting dark quick .... the elegant solution would fish with less hassle
than the M&P but be just as tasty looking to the prey


Wouldn't they take the fly just under the surface?

Willi

Soft Hackle Flies
 

"Willi & Sue" wrote


Wouldn't they take the fly just under the surface?

it didn't seem so ... but ... there may have been takes I didn't see, last
light, old eyes, etc. ... kinda surprised me too ... I tried swinging the
pattern but got very few takes, and real dinks, that way

In all honesty, when the pattern sank, I tried to re-float it more than I
tried to test it sunk .... I was more interested in tackling the problem of
half floating than in catching fish ....

Soft Hackle Flies
 

"Willi & Sue" wrote


Wouldn't they take the fly just under the surface?

it didn't seem so ... but ... there may have been takes I didn't see, last
light, old eyes, etc. ... kinda surprised me too ... I tried swinging the
pattern but got very few takes, and real dinks, that way

In all honesty, when the pattern sank, I tried to re-float it more than I
tried to test it sunk .... I was more interested in tackling the problem of
half floating than in catching fish ....

Soft Hackle Flies
 

Larry L wrote:
"Willi & Sue" wrote


Wouldn't they take the fly just under the surface?


it didn't seem so ... but ... there may have been takes I didn't see, last
light, old eyes, etc. ... kinda surprised me too ... I tried swinging the
pattern but got very few takes, and real dinks, that way

In all honesty, when the pattern sank, I tried to re-float it more than I
tried to test it sunk .... I was more interested in tackling the problem of
half floating than in catching fish ....



IMO, a soft hackle isn't very well suited to either floating or half
floating unless you tie it
with a body that will provide flotation. That would result in a fairly
fat body. When fishing to rising fish I usually fish them on a greased
tippet so they float just under the surface.

You could try using a CDC hackle tied soft hackle style. Not quite the
same as partridge but would give you much better flotation. It makes an
effective BWO imitation but I haven't tried it on any other hatches.

Willi

Soft Hackle Flies
 

Larry L wrote:
"Willi & Sue" wrote


Wouldn't they take the fly just under the surface?


it didn't seem so ... but ... there may have been takes I didn't see, last
light, old eyes, etc. ... kinda surprised me too ... I tried swinging the
pattern but got very few takes, and real dinks, that way

In all honesty, when the pattern sank, I tried to re-float it more than I
tried to test it sunk .... I was more interested in tackling the problem of
half floating than in catching fish ....



IMO, a soft hackle isn't very well suited to either floating or half
floating unless you tie it
with a body that will provide flotation. That would result in a fairly
fat body. When fishing to rising fish I usually fish them on a greased
tippet so they float just under the surface.

You could try using a CDC hackle tied soft hackle style. Not quite the
same as partridge but would give you much better flotation. It makes an
effective BWO imitation but I haven't tried it on any other hatches.

Willi

Soft Hackle Flies
 

The Art of Tying the Wet Fly & Fishing the Flymph
by James E. Leisenring


"Stuart DeWolfe" wrote in message
. ..
I am looking for a good Pattern book for Soft-Hackled Flies. I already have
the book Two Centuries of Soft-Hackled Flies by Sylvester Nemes but would
like yet another. If you know of any better I would appreciate your
suggestions. Thanks in advance.

--
Tight Lines & Great Memories
Stuart DeWolfe

Soft Hackle Flies
 

The Art of Tying the Wet Fly & Fishing the Flymph
by James E. Leisenring


"Stuart DeWolfe" wrote in message
. ..
I am looking for a good Pattern book for Soft-Hackled Flies. I already have
the book Two Centuries of Soft-Hackled Flies by Sylvester Nemes but would
like yet another. If you know of any better I would appreciate your
suggestions. Thanks in advance.

--
Tight Lines & Great Memories
Stuart DeWolfe

Soft Hackle Flies
 

"Willi & Sue" wrote


IMO, a soft hackle isn't very well suited to either floating or half
floating unless you tie it


You are correct, and as I look back on the situation I see I allowed myself
to get suckered into very bad design tactics. I stumbled onto the M&P,
fished floated, as a real fish taker and then make a key error of defining
the design goal as "float a M&P" All design efforts follow from the
defined goal, and thus that definition is the most important step. Had I
looked a little deeper and defined the problem as "find out why these fish
love a M&P and then design a floating fly that will have similar qualities
to please them" I'm sure I would have had more success. I "think" they
were taking it for a little dark caddis that was around, but I didn't take
the time to seine and study, ..... there were also a WIDE variety of other
bugs on the water ( I love the HFork :-) and the fish may have been eating
something else ... the rises, for one thing, were sips, not at all splashy
.... I was too busy casting to look much .... fishing SO often gets in the
way of learning more about fishing G

Soft Hackle Flies
 

"Willi & Sue" wrote


IMO, a soft hackle isn't very well suited to either floating or half
floating unless you tie it


You are correct, and as I look back on the situation I see I allowed myself
to get suckered into very bad design tactics. I stumbled onto the M&P,
fished floated, as a real fish taker and then make a key error of defining
the design goal as "float a M&P" All design efforts follow from the
defined goal, and thus that definition is the most important step. Had I
looked a little deeper and defined the problem as "find out why these fish
love a M&P and then design a floating fly that will have similar qualities
to please them" I'm sure I would have had more success. I "think" they
were taking it for a little dark caddis that was around, but I didn't take
the time to seine and study, ..... there were also a WIDE variety of other
bugs on the water ( I love the HFork :-) and the fish may have been eating
something else ... the rises, for one thing, were sips, not at all splashy
.... I was too busy casting to look much .... fishing SO often gets in the
way of learning more about fishing G