Soft Hackles in High Lakes?

[mcswny]

I'm wanting to tie up some soft hackles for high lakes for next summer but I've never really fished soft hackles in still waters.
Basically just looking to mix up my dry/terrestrial and bugger game when I'm out backpacking.

My question is what size are you typically throwing?
Thanks!
Tim

 

[Bambooflyguy]

Start small, see if you can see what’s hatching. Most high lake trout aren’t that picky, something moving in the water.....

 

[Matt B]

I'm wanting to tie up some soft hackles for high lakes for next summer but I've never really fished soft hackles in still waters.
Basically just looking to mix up my dry/terrestrial and bugger game when I'm out backpacking.

My question is what size are you typically throwing?
Thanks!
Tim

Usually 12s and 14s. Sometimes 16s.

 

[Bruce Baker]

I have a variety of sizes for my stillwater softhackles. For my one particular go-to fly (Carey Special), I have it in sizes 8-16. I would say that I normally fish the size 8, but lately I have been using the size 10.

 

[mcswny]

Awesome, thanks guys!

 

[Travis Bille]

I like going soft hackles PTs and such on a jig hook for alpine lakes. I'll usually make some wierd ones too. Actually my best fly this summer had "hackle" of pink calf hair spun in a dubbing loop. It cleaned up

 

[Smalma]

Based on more than 20 years of North Cascade high lake fishing if I had be limited to a single fly, it would have been a size 12 dark olive soft hackle.

 

[mcswny]

Based on more than 20 years of North Cascade high lake fishing if I had be limited to a single fly, it would have been a size 12 dark olive soft hackle.

This is what i like to hear.

 

[mcswny]

I like going soft hackles PTs and such on a jig hook for alpine lakes. I'll usually make some wierd ones too. Actually my best fly this summer had "hackle" of pink calf hair spun in a dubbing loop. It cleaned up

hell yeah!

 

[Matt B]

I have a variety of sizes for my stillwater softhackles. For my one particular go-to fly (Carey Special), I have it in sizes 8-16. I would say that I normally fish the size 8, but lately I have been using the size 10.

I forgot about the Carey and Six Pack as soft hackles. I also fish these patterns in larger sizes like an 8 or 10 but it seems like if I'm trying something on the bigger side in a high lake it's going to be a leech or bugger and less of a dragon/damsel type thing like a Carey. Maybe I just think of those as more lowland lake flies and forage but that's not necessarily always true come to think of it.

 

[Stonedfish]

Lots of good advise.
You can doctor up your soft hackles a bit as well by putting a single piece of pearl Krystal flash out the back.
SF

 

[Tom Butler]

the muskrat nymph is deadly in alpine lakes (I think more caddis like)
https://www.google.com/search?q=mus...&ie=UTF-8#kpvalbx=_PlRZY6nkM4GZkPIP65GpmAQ_29

or if they want something lighter (or more mayfly like in my mind)


sz. 12-16

 

[Long_Rod_Silvers]

This is what i like to hear.

I took his advice last year and can vouch, the size 12 dark olive soft hackle produces. I don't have 20 years of experience with it though, just one summer

 

[mcswny]

I took his advice last year and can vouch, the size 12 dark olive soft hackle produces. I don't have 20 years of experience with it though, just one summer

If I remember correctly, you posted a report of a backpacking trip last year that produced some hog cutthroat.

 

[mcswny]

Might as well keep this going.

What's your favorite retrieve in this setting (remember, Im asking for still water--in theory, alpine. Not moving).

 

[Tom Butler]

Might as well keep this going.

What's your favorite retrieve in this setting (remember, Im asking for still water--in theory, alpine. Not moving).

My usual was to start shallow with a slow hand twist, and work deeper at the same speed. If than didn't work then start shallow again and speeding up and or lengthening pulls, repeat until you get a signal it's working. Vary pause as well, often it seems they just want proof of life, then hit on the pause.

 

[Bambooflyguy]

The fish will let you know.......

 

[Old406Kid]

I use Rickard's AP Emerger in a variety of color combinations and sizes.

SBS - Rickards' A.P. Emerger SBS

www.washingtonflyfishing.com

 

[mcswny]

I use Rickard's AP Emerger in a variety of color combinations and sizes.

SBS - Rickards' A.P. Emerger SBS

www.washingtonflyfishing.com

Will tie up some of these next.

 

[mcswny]

The heads may be a tad big. It's interesting looking at them in person, they don't seem too big, but then i really see it in the picture .
Will do some more variations as well.