For the last several weeks I have been tying soft hackle wet flies. Been tying them with silk bodies, floss bodies, and various dubbed bodies. Many different feathers have been used for the hackle and these have a real fish catching look. So Friday I grabbed a box of them and headed to a nice little stream. This stream has some awesome hemlock trees to protect it, and one hazard of these trees is the tiny dry branches. They tend to dry and while sneaking about them one has the pleasure of these twigs falling down your back. It's truly amazing how a quarter inch twig can be so annoying.
The first pool I fished I was able to coax a fish to strike. I continued to fish for some time before I had a hookup. The brookie managed to free itself before I could take a photo. I fished several different patterns and found they had taking a liking to the flies with colored silk bodies.
In the flat just beyond the plunge pool a nice fish struck just as the fly was drawn to the surface.
Moments later I had my first brookie at hand. A beautiful little jewel.
This time of year can be difficult to sneak up on a pool to fish. The trees have yet to put leaves on, the water is so clear, so an angler must use the long line approach in order to get a fish to hit the fly.
But when things come together the angler is rewarded with wild beauty.
As the day turned to afternoon and my time to leave was close. I fished a few runs and managed to take another trout or two.
i can almost hear the water gurgling!
ReplyDeleteTexWisGirl,
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It is a sweet sound.
Better than the way I spent my Friday.... That is one awesome looking stream.
ReplyDeleteRM Lytle,
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In Philly were you.
I love soft hackles. I probably fish them too much.
ReplyDeleteRich60375,
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They are addictive for sure.
Beautiful brookies and flies. I will always like traditional silk bodied soft hackles but you should tie a few with the hackle pointed in the opposite direction ( sakasa kebari style). The hackle fibers seldom fold down along the body and continue to wave in a life like motion while in the water. Sometimes I even see them better in the water that way.
ReplyDeleteKiwi,
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I saw a little trick to keep the hackles from matting back. You wrap one or two turns of thread through the hackles. I sort of keeps them apart.
Very nice Alan, some nice looking flies in the first pic, grouse and orange? I really like tying the with the Pearsall's silk, when wet it is translucent and the body starts to blend with the bronze color of the hook.
ReplyDeleteMark,
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Yes they're grouse and orange. That is true of silk, and it's not to bad to work with. I finally found a bobbin that will hold those small Pearsall's spools.
Nice flies Alan, they look great on the curved hook, good to see the trout liked them too!
ReplyDeletebrian,
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I know it's not traditional, but it worked. I have some more traditional hooks coming.
I can't think of a better way to start off my work week than tagging along on a small stream with you. I really like the looks of those flies , and obviously those beautiful little brookies approved as well!
ReplyDeleteHighPlainsFlyFisher,
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I know you do a lot of smallmouth fishing. I wonder if a larger version would work?
Wonderful...
ReplyDeleteHoward Levett,
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I appreciate it buddy.
Very nice looking Soft Hackles. They are a great fly to use. Fishing them in small streams would be a natural for you. Don't know anyone better!
ReplyDeleteMel(Pond Stalker)
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I have never fished them for bluegill or crappie, but I'll bet they would work.
cracking flies alan, i was on a wee stream yesterday and was thinking ii could have been doing with a few more spider (soft hackle) patterns.
ReplyDeleteCol,
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They work well on such streams.
What do the soft hackle flies represent? Caddis pupa? They look really buggy, and your hard work at the vice paid off.
ReplyDeleteSavage,
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They represent many forms of underwater insect life. Emergers stuck in surface film, a drowned fly. It's the movement of the soft hackle, creating life that gets them to strike.
Soft Hackles. One of my favorites. Works wonders when nothing else is going on. Great for fishing under the hatch!!
ReplyDeleteTROUT1,
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The right call Pete. I've seen you work a soft hackle and your a master at it.
Soft hackles. Small stream. One of the best ways to spend some time.
ReplyDeletessj,
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You'll get no argument from me.
This is superb. Those beautiful flies in the perfect setting.
ReplyDeleteJim Yaussy Albright,
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I appreciate that Jim.
Beautiful scenery and flies. It's amazing how changing hackle can give such a different interpretation on the flies!
ReplyDeleteBrookie61,
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Sometimes just that subtle change makes for a success or not.
Congratulations on your recent milestone, Alan, and for producing such delectable-looking softhackle flies!
ReplyDeleterivertoprambles,
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Walt it was a pleasure doing it. Your friend Mark L. tied real nice wets.
Alan
ReplyDeleteAbsolute outstanding looking stream with some nice pools for those beauties to feed. Congrats on an awesome outing!! Thanks for sharing
Bill Trussell,
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Very true Bill. Yesterday I drifted a soft hackle in a deep slide and wait 'til you see what grabbed it.