I hope everybody had an enjoyable Christmas. Last night I had some time at the vise and took the opportunity to tie a few soft hackled flies. I primarily used two types of feathers, Starling and a Badger hen neck. Also used were threads of various colors, and some embroidery thread along with hares mask dubbing and two hook types.
I believe these flies will work at most times of the year and give a pretty good general representative impression of various insects.
This fly uses a dark hackle, with a #726 yellow embroidery thread body. A thorax of a mix of brown and ginger hares dubbing.
This fly has a body dubbed of a mix of hare and gray squirrel, the rib is embroidery thread and the hackle is badger.
This fly uses a hook with an upturned eye. Certain spider patterns look good tied on these hooks and I think this is one of them. The body is purple thread, with a dubbed thorax of natural hares mask and hackle of Starling.
Alan, beautiful ties. I'm curious as to the source or sources of some of your tying material that badger hen neck is beautiful. I don't know that I have ever seen one for sale . I really like the starling and purple. I never thought to use an upturned hook nice touch. Thanks for the lesson.
ReplyDeleteBrad Basehore
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Brad that badger neck was purchased at a fly fishing show. I have not seen one like it at my local fly shops. Perhaps online. The starling and purple is an old pattern, still works though. Some of the spider patterns look good on that hook.
Alan, thanks for putting those beautiful soft hackles in front of me. I spent the past few days working on soft hackle hares ears and pheasant tails. I'm looking forward to giving them a whirl.
ReplyDeleteHoward Levett
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Howard those flies you tied should serve you well. Is it still snowing?
From time to time I hear that soft hackles are easy to tie. My response is that soft hackles are easy to tie poorly. Not so easy to tie well. Good job.
ReplyDeletessj
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I hear the same quote "easy to tie". Your answer is spot on.
Alan
ReplyDeleteHope you and the family had a great Christmas; so impressed with all these patterns. I am becoming a fan your soft hackle patterns. Thanks for sharing
Bill Trussell
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Bill Christmas was wonderful, hope yours was the same. Those flies should be good come spring.
Absolutely love that middle fly.
ReplyDeleteWhile I'm sure it will catch fish, it definitely caught the eye of this angler!
Michael Agneta
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Mike catching the angler is first, then we work on the fish.
Beautiful flies, Alan. What is your favorite soft hackle? I need to get myself some soft hackles. I already made 2 trips to my local shop in the past 2 weeks and forgot. I should make myself a list next time I go, because, once I get in there, my mind goes blank and I want to look and buy everything haha.
ReplyDeleteJustin Carfagnini
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Justin my fave is the Partridge and Orange. I have the same issue when I'm in a fly shop...can't stay focused.
I'll have to take a note of that, so, next time I'm in the shop, I'll know what to pick up....if I stay focused. Haha
DeleteGreat looking flies!
ReplyDeleteNeil Norman
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Neil I appreciate your comment.