softhackle

Sign me up please! Can you tell I love soft hackles?!

I'm currently enjoying The Field and Stream Treasury of Trout Fishing. Great fishing stories from as far back as the 1910s. Interesting to learn how approaches have come in and out of fashion from wet fly fishing to the fishing dry flies and nymphs. Modern approaches and techniques have developed from this rich heritage, but there are still lessons to be learned, and lots of enjoyment, from reading words penned nearly 100 years ago!

During the last few years I have found myself standing streamside with an open fly box in my hand, pondering which fly to try when my first selections didn't produce. On many of those occasions I have chosen a small (18-22) peacock and starling softhackle and fished it either in the film with a bit of floatant or swung it wet down and across - and often with very satisfying results. This fly has definitely been moving up on my list of flies that I'll reach for and has replaced other patterns I used to select first. A proven imitation for me for emerging midges, microcaddis, and other small dark bugs on or in the water.

I like the double surgeons knot too. Quick and easy, you're back fishing in no time. The knot almost never fails for me.

Shhh! I'm a librarian. Specifically, I coordinate the library's mobile outreach service to the local community, a large part of which consists of circulating library materials to homebound patrons, assisted living facilities, hospitals, etc. Can be very rewarding. Also worked as flyfishing school instructor at local fly shop. Been back in the U.S. about 5 years now. Previous 10 years I taught English at Tohoku Gakuin University in Sendai, Japan, where my daughter (14) and son (12) were born. My wife of 19 years works as executive secretary to the principle of the local intermediate 5th-6th grade school and part-times at the library helping patrons with geneological research. Prior to moving to Japan I was bass player/co-lead singer in touring Christian rock band for 6 years. We met at one of our concerts. Band was invited to Japan summer of '85. That's where I developed an interest in the country and we moved there 5 years later after I got my masters in teaching ESL. Enjoyed flyfishing for Japanese trout!

#14 hare's ear/antron, gold mylar-ribbed, brown partridge collar soft hackle. Make the cast, enjoy the view, feel the tug!

I use Tiemco. I lived in Japan for 10 years, 1990-2000, and started using them during that time, which is also the time I picked up flytying.

I want to tie up some damselfly nymphs for summer lake fishing for trout. I'd like to see some photos of pattern(s) you like.

Calvin, you're right. There is some activity during the day on PMDs. The bigger bugs seem to get more attention though, from the fishermen, and the fish! The West Fork of the Bitterroot gets a lot of attention because of the salmonflies. Evenings are especially good for caddis too throughout the summer.

The Bitterroot is my home water. In mid to late June - Salmonflies, golden stones, Green Drakes, yellow sallies. Water still a bit high from runoff.

Hair from a smokey brown/grey Persian cat I once had. Perfect for Callibaetis nymphs! That's about all that cat was good for!

I am using a dry fly as a strike indicator more and more. I have used lots of different types of strike indicators and haven't been very happy with any of them. I can't get the slotted foam/rubber band type to stay on. (I lost 3 of those "fish pimps" recently in 20 minutes, and I know I'm putting them on right.) The putty-type leaves a residue on my leader, the stick-on type are hard to get off. I tie a dropper off the bend of the dry fly. This works pretty well and you'll catch fish on the dry too!

I fish primarily for trout in the Rockies, and most often reach for a Royal Wulff, CDC and elk, parachute caddis, or a Madam X pattern....typically in about a size 12. I'll usually tie the Royal Wulff parachute style....just easier for me to tie and floats great.

When I'm prospecting on small streams my "go-to" dry fly is the CDC/elk. But my favorite fly to fish is a gold ribbed hare's ear/antron and partridge soft hackle. I love swinging them down to rising trout during an evening caddis emergence. Easy to tie, look great, a real classic.

OK, I'll start. Tied some #12 Royal Madam Xs the other night. Wanted a good attractor fly that was easy to tie but had the peacock/red floss of the Royal Wulff. I'm going to be doing some stream fishing in Yellowstone this July and thought this would be a good one to have in the fly box. I've fished Royal Wulffs for years, including parachute type, but they take more time for me to tie than the Madam X pattern. So I'm giving them a shot. I've used bullet head patterns for grasshoppers/stoneflys for years and like them a lot.

Just wanted to say Hi and tell everyone what a great site this is! I'm a misplaced Montanan currently living in Indiana. Been flyfishing for over 30 years, tying for about 15. Mostly fish in western/SW MT and Yellowstone area. Love to fish high mountain lakes, mountain streams, and go after rare trout. Lived in northern Japan for 10 years and enjoyed catching native trout/char there. Best wishes and good fishing to all!