Looking for a good read on tying soft hackles

[mike_richardson]

I was messing with soft hackles lately and realized I never really messed with them all that much. I need work on sizing the hackle and tying it in. I tried some simple caddis pupa with nymph head evolution beads and I believe they would catch fish but I believe they are way out of proportion. A few I have close but I think feather selection and tying practices will help them.

Does anyone have any good reading, or videos on soft hackle flies?

Thanks in advance.

 

[nomad_archer]

What are you using for your soft hackle material?

I have been using partridge, grouse, some hen, and starling. One thing I did learn the hard way was to not buy a bag of soft hackle feathers. You will never find one that is the right size. Buy a skin or soft hackle patch as they are much easier to work with.

There are some really good youtube videos on how to tie in and wrap a soft hackle feather. I haven't found one that gives guidance on correctly sizing the hackle to the hook.

Any chance you can throw a solid background behind your flies for the pictures. Its tough to see whats going on with the color variations in the marble or granite background.

 

[1hook]

Check out Davie mcphail videos... can't go wrong

 

[GenCon]

Dave Hughes wet flys. Great book and just a good read.

Gencon

 

[nfrechet]

read sylvester nemes

 

[RLeep2]

Wander around in here for awhile...

http://www.flymphforum.com/


Alternately, you could search on "Vernon Hidy, fly tying" or as suggested above, Nemes.

 

[SteveG]

Tying and Fishing Soft Hackled Nymphs by Allen Mcgee is a great resource and specifically covers fur and feather selection, different hackling techniques, patterns, and fishing techniques. Wet Fly Tying and Fishing by Roger Fogg is a book to have if you're interested primarily in spiders and English style flies.