Nymphing with a soft hackle.

[Worth723]

Hey everyone,

I’ve just started tying soft hackle wets, and really enjoying the simplicity of the tie.

I do quite a bit of tight line nymphing, and wanted to see how those of you that nymph with soft hackle wets incorporate them into your system. My thought is to have a heavier tungsten beaded nymph on point and then a soft hackle wet as a second fly off of a tag.

Does one notice the difference in using a heavier weighted wire hook for the soft hackle? Will that help the system, or will any wet fly hook do since I am using tungsten in tandem on the point?

I’ll be in central PA in a few weeks and thought that a soft hackle on my rig in #14-16 would be effective for any emergence taking place.

I’m talking basic and sparse: hook, fine peacock dub and partridge. I’ve considered playing around with green thread hot spots on the tail.

Thanks in advance for any input!

 

[jifigz]

I think you're overthinking this. Given what you describe, any wetfly hook will do. Actually, I'll simplify it even further, and wetfly hook will do at any time for nearly any purpose. I keep it simple.

If you're drowning a heavy nymph and have an unweighted wetfly wiggling around up top, it should do exactly what you want it to - bounce around like an emerging bug or a drowned adult.

My favorite wetfly hook is a Daichi 1550.

 

[Roofin' Trouter]

Hey everyone,

I’ve just started tying soft hackle wets, and really enjoying the simplicity of the tie.

I do quite a bit of tight line nymphing, and wanted to see how those of you that nymph with soft hackle wets incorporate them into your system. My thought is to have a heavier tungsten beaded nymph on point and then a soft hackle wet as a second fly off of a tag.

Does one notice the difference in using a heavier weighted wire hook for the soft hackle? Will that help the system, or will any wet fly hook do since I am using tungsten in tandem on the point?

I’ll be in central PA in a few weeks and thought that a soft hackle on my rig in #14-16 would be effective for any emergence taking place.

I’m talking basic and sparse: hook, fine peacock dub and partridge. I’ve considered playing around with green thread hot spots on the tail.

Thanks in advance for any input!

I fish wet flies in a tight line system in some situations. The biggest thing for me is to remember " the pause" on the end of drift. I also like a longer tippet section(7-8') in that situation, with my tag up (3-4'). It makes the angles different which is something you maybe want to think about over a slightly heavier hook.
Good luck.

 

[Worth723]

I think you're overthinking this. Given what you describe, any wetfly hook will do. Actually, I'll simplify it even further, and wetfly hook will do at any time for nearly any purpose. I keep it simple.

If you're drowning a heavy nymph and have an unweighted wetfly wiggling around up top, it should do exactly what you want it to - bounce around like an emerging bug or a drowned adult.

My favorite wetfly hook is a Daichi 1550.

I figured I was over thinking it.

 

[Worth723]

I fish wet flies in a tight line system in some situations. The biggest thing for me is to remember " the pause" on the end of drift. I also like a longer tippet section(7-8') in that situation, with my tag up (3-4'). It makes the angles different which is something you maybe want to think about over a slightly heavier hook.
Good luck.

Interesting advice as angles are important. More spacing between the point and tag that you bring up makes sense, as I’d want the softhackle higher in the water column. Thanks for the advice.

 

[riverwhy]

I have had more luck dead drifting wets than I have swinging them. Swinging streamers and buggers yes, wets no. Swinging insect
Imitations seems like an unnatural movement to me. Wouldn’t a fly rise as
It’s drifting, rather than turning against
Current?

 

[Tigereye]

My thought is to have a heavier tungsten beaded nymph on point and then a soft hackle wet as a second fly off of a tag

When tightlining this is the way to go. Remember you are not fishing a "swing" in this instance.

If indy riggging, fish the wet on the point, as it will be furthest from the weight and higher in the water column. Again not swinging flies.

Different circumstances may require adjustments, but I never found a need.

 

[midnightangler]

sounds like you should be tying the bird of prey caddis.

 

[Tigereye]

I have had more luck dead drifting wets than I have swinging them. Swinging streamers and buggers yes, wets no. Swinging insect
Imitations seems like an unnatural movement to me. Wouldn’t a fly rise as
It’s drifting, rather than turning against
Current?

This depends. I have success in some situations casting weighted soft hackles upstream with a large mend , allowing them to sink then letting the current swing the fly to the surface.

Other times, I twitch unweighted flies up stream just under the surface. YMMV

 

[caddisflyer]

Swing a soft hackle just under the surface during a caddis hatch and see if it works.