stabgnid 0 Report post Posted April 21, 2017 Looking to buy something other than Partridge for soft hackles ?? I tie mostly #12,#14,#16 #18s .. Steve-stabgnid Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kentuckysteve 0 Report post Posted April 21, 2017 I have used hen hackle or pheasant. http://www.featheremporium.com/Fly-Tying-Feathers/soft-hackle.html Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SBPatt 0 Report post Posted April 21, 2017 Hen, quail, grouse (sharptail doesn't have too many smaller feathers but it'll work for #12's), starling; lots of options. There are ways to use oversize feathers, too. Regards, Scott Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flyty1 0 Report post Posted April 21, 2017 I use grizzly hen cape feathers - I tie in sizes 12 to 18 and find I can often squeeze multiple flies from a single feather! A good hen cape goes for 25 to 30 dollars, but you will be able to tie hundreds of wet flies form a single cape. I also put the larger feathers to use either on wooly buggers or down-wings tied as a wonder wing. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stabgnid 0 Report post Posted April 21, 2017 Hen, quail, grouse (sharptail doesn't have too many smaller feathers but it'll work for #12's), starling; lots of options. There are ways to use oversize feathers, too. Regards, Scott Scott I used the partridge that you gave me in the picture !! I can not thank you a enough !! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kimo 0 Report post Posted April 22, 2017 I like using starling with a contrasting color of CDC.Kimo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SBPatt 0 Report post Posted April 22, 2017 Scott I used the partridge that you gave me in the picture !! I can not thank you a enough !! Steve, You did, by posting that pic; nicely done. Regards, Scott Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flytire 0 Report post Posted April 22, 2017 any legal game birds are good choices for soft hackle feathers Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Poopdeck 0 Report post Posted April 22, 2017 A pheasant skin has a remarkably wide range of color and size feathers. They have an iridescent green feather that i use a lot for sparse wets. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Papa Baske 0 Report post Posted April 22, 2017 Brahma Hen maybe? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vicrider 0 Report post Posted April 22, 2017 I know some think this is heresy my hen feathers are top quality and I tie them in by the tip, then tear the feathers furthest from me off the stem. There are just the right amount on the one side to wrap a great soft hackle and with feathers on one side it just wraps neater and cleaner. I have a couple of starling skins but have a hard time with them. Feathers are just too small and have a tendency to break while wrapping. I do use them sparingly and carefully on small ties in the 18 or 20 area. Otherwise it's partridge or hen most of the time. This is a soft hackle tied for a women's breast cancer recovery group with silver tinsel, pink floss, pink ostrich plume, white hen with half torn off. Looks plenty full to me and the fish. This fly is on a #14 hook but it inspired some coastal people to tie it on #8 and 6 hooks and proved good for sea run trout coming in the river. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Flat Rock native 0 Report post Posted April 22, 2017 I know some think this is heresy my hen feathers are top quality and I tie them in by the tip, then tear the feathers furthest from me off the stem. There are just the right amount on the one side to wrap a great soft hackle and with feathers on one side it just wraps neater and cleaner. I have a couple of starling skins but have a hard time with them. Feathers are just too small and have a tendency to break while wrapping. I do use them sparingly and carefully on small ties in the 18 or 20 area. Otherwise it's partridge or hen most of the time. This is a soft hackle tied for a women's breast cancer recovery group with silver tinsel, pink floss, pink ostrich plume, white hen with half torn off. Looks plenty full to me and the fish. This fly is on a #14 hook but it inspired some coastal people to tie it on #8 and 6 hooks and proved good for sea run trout coming in the river. Beautiful soft hackle, vic, about how many turns of hen did it take? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chris_NH 0 Report post Posted April 23, 2017 Buy a Hungarian partridge skin. Lots of other things things can be substituted, but nothing really looks as good. A $15 skin will give you a lifetime of good soft hackle tying feathers. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chris_NH 0 Report post Posted April 23, 2017 By the way stab, every time I see your username for some reason my mind sees dagnabit, and I chuckle. Lol. Funny how the mind works. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stabgnid 0 Report post Posted April 23, 2017 By the way stab, every time I see your username for some reason my mind sees dagnabit, and I chuckle. Lol. Funny how the mind works. That's a new one but here's what it says stabgnid is Dingbats spelled backwards Steve-stabgnid Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites