The Orange Soft Hackle Fishing Fly
The family of soft hackle flies seem to be very much overlooked in the fly
fishing community. I have had some great trips due in part to using this
type of fly. They are very simple and quick to tie. You can vary the pattern
by using different colors in the dubbing, and the hackle.
- Mustad 3906 size 8 - 16
- Fine copper wire
- Orange rabbit dubbing
- Brownish colored indian hen
- 8/0 Brown fly tying thread
Tie on your tying thread, and bring it to the bend of the hook. Take a small length of fine copper wire, and attach it to the hook, tying it to the back of the hook.
Take some thread wax, and apply a small amount to your tying thread. Apply a sparse amount of orange rabbit dubbing such as the Great Canadian Dubbing or hairline. Twist the dubbing to form a tight rope, and wrap the dubbing around the hook shank, forming a slight taper towards the eye of the hook.
Take the copper wire, and wrap it forward to the eye of the hook. This will add some durability to the fly, and add a nice segmentation. Tie off the wire, and trim the excess.
Take a hen saddle feather and prepare it by stripping off the webby fibers near the base of the feather. Pull the fibers back, and tie in the feather.
Pull the fibers of the hen feather to the back of the fly while wrapping it around the head of the fly. Tie off the hackle, and
trim the stem. Stroke the hackle collar back, and apply the head to the fly. Add a whip finish, and cement the head.