Saturday, January 23, 2016

The "Cream Soft Hackle"....plus.

Mark Libertones "Cream Soft Hackle"
This is a fly created by Mark Libertone of New York. It represents a sulphur or light cahill mayfly. These flies come off on various northeast streams from May through July. Trout really enjoy this hatch and will take these flies readily. This soft-hackle is simple and elegant, and represents that phase of emerger that gets hung-up in the surface film or perhaps a drowned spinner.

The recipe for the "Cream Soft Hackle" is Dry fly hook,.. Body, Ecru Embroidery Thread...Thorax, Light Cahill Hares Ear...Hackle, Pale Ginger or Cream.




We paid a visit to the Fly Fishing Show yesterday in Marlboro MA. It was a good few hours seeing some of the new and "must haves" for 2016. I saw some old friends and met a few new ones. I was good as far as making purchases, some scissors, dubbing, and a nice find in some hackle. This beautiful straw-badger hen cape was in pristine condition.



A fly using the badger hackle..caddis maybe? It's supposed to snow today but as of yet not a flake has fallen and that's OK by me. Be well friends.


26 comments:

  1. Since we are snowed here in the North Carolina Smokies it good to think of days to come.
    Thanks,
    Capt Ray

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    1. ray henley
      Thanks
      Well Capt.Ray I don't know if you like snow, but it helps put back some of that ground water. Thinking of better day's myself.

      Delete
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  3. Brk Trt, good to see that you went to the fly fishing show. I was thinking of going today myself, but wanted to wait until seeing what the weather would bring. So far no flakes, so we'll see.

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    1. DRYFLYGUY
      Thanks
      Phil it was a pretty good show. They say you folks are going to be OK as far as snow totals.
      A couple of inches.

      Delete

  4. You picked a good day to visit the show, as I write this it is showing here.Would have liked to go to that show but not today!!!

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    1. TROUTI
      Thanks
      Pete weather was nice, and the show was too. You guys will get more snow then us.

      Delete
  5. Very nice, simple yet elegant flies. We have about a foot now here in the hills of Jersey. Wind is whipping it everywhere. Best, MG

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    1. Matthew Grobert
      Thanks
      Mark tied some beautiful patterns. That wind is creating real problems. We're strong.

      Delete
  6. Beautiful cape! Very nice ties, as well. Pick up anything else at the show?

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    1. Justin Carf
      Thanks
      Justin I shopped and other than the cape I picked up a nice pair of spring scissors and dubbing.

      Delete
  7. That really is a good looking cape. I'll bet you couldn't wait to put it use.

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    1. thedeadfisher
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      John I tied one up very quickly.

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  8. Is that a Brahma Hen cape? I'm really liking the straw-badger color you've got there, and your fly shows off the barring in the feather very nicely. Should be killer.

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    1. Chuck Coronato
      Thanks
      Chuck that it is. I was looking at it closer and I believe a few small streamers can be had also.

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  9. Sweet fly! Much simpler than the catskill classic wet light cahill's I tie and probably just as effective!

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    1. Adam
      Thanks
      Adam they are sure easier than the Catskill patterns. But there is almost nothing as sweet as a well tied Catskill dry.

      Delete
  10. I just came in from shoveling and saw this post ,absolutely enlightened my day. Alan we are getting pounded in south central pa. I notice you use a lot of embroidiery floss, I have started to use this myself. How many strands do use to make the body? Those are beautiful flies, so is that hen neck. Our show in Lancaster, pa. Is soon I am hoping to pick up some good hen necks. I have come to the conclusion the only wAy to buy hackle is to pick it yourself.

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    1. Brad Basehore
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      Brad some impressive totals for you guys. On the thread the flies pictured here I used 1 strand. On bigger flies I'll use 2. There is nothing like seeing up close before you buy.

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  11. I agree, that is a great looking cape and the last picture has to be a caddis. By the way, no snow in Colorado. :)

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    1. Howard Levett
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      Howard your right. And I chuckled when I read "no snow in Colorado"
      You guys deserve a break.

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  12. Alan, wish I'd bumped into you at the show yesterday. Oddly, I think I bought the same hackle you did. Found some good deals and one, was darn similar to the one you show above.

    Gorgeous ties!
    Will

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    1. Hibernation
      Thanks
      Will there were a lot of people there. I picked it up at Badger Creek's booth.
      There were some specials to be had.

      Delete
  13. Alan
    Both of these patterns would be killers here on the Sipsey. The soft hackles you mailed me are excellent to use when the trout are sub surface feeding. These patterns would work as well. Excellent work at the bench. Thanks for sharing

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  14. Bill Trussell
    Thanks
    Bill I think it will be some time before I can use these flies on the Farmington.
    Those warm evenings....yes sir.

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