Soft Hackle/ Partridge substitution

[zug buggin 0]

Spending the rainy Christmas Holidays tying Soft hackles and ran out of usable Partridge. I'm sub'ing in Grizzly Hen hackle but getting a much different look, Not sure if its for the good or bad but the fibers on the hen hackle are much finer than the Partridge also getting a "badger" effect where the hackle is darker closer to the hook and lighter at the tips. The overall look is a much more delicate look to the fly. Anybody have any comments or ideas about this hackle?

[deeky 0]

Maybe some lemon-dyed mallard? It will be tough to find any short enough to wrap like a hackle, but build a little bump of thread thread and then tie the mallard flank barbs to length up tight to the bump and then they should flare out for you.

 

Deeky

[FrequentTyer 0]

If you try the mallard, take a look at the distribution wrap method:

http://singlebarbed.com/2009/12/28/cal-birds-modified-distribution-wrap-for-monty-montana/

[flytire 0]

feathers from hen necks and saddles make excellent soft hackle flies. keep tying them, you'll be OK. experiment

 

check out the flies on this page. hans did not stick entirely to partridge when tying those flies

 

http://www.danica.com/FLYTIER/hweilenmann/hweilenmann.htm

[Chase Creek 0]

Flytire's right - hen is a great material for soft hackles. I use it a lot; it's pretty inexpensive, comes in a whole array of dyed colors. Natural and Brown Speckled seem to be the most common.

If you do use partridge, don't buy the small packs of feathers - most of them are too big or not usable. Get a whole skin, and you'll get much more out of it.

[letumgo 0]

Indian hen necks are inexpensive (usually around $5) and make great soft hackle flies. If you plan to do much tying with Partridge, buy a full skin. Well worth the price.

[ashbourn 0]

Grizzly Hen is not much like Partridge.

Mottled Brown Hen Saddles, Whiting Brahma Hen Saddles and some Quail are all good subs.

 

Joe