Tying Soft Hackle Flies

[Cliff]

Hello, I'm going to start tying some old fashioned wet flies and I will start with the classic Partridge & Orange pattern. It looks pretty straightforward, but I'm not sure what size hook to use. I've not really fished these old fashioned wet flies much and I'm unsure which size would be the best size for pacific northwest waters, including Montana trout fishing. Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Cliff

 

[Stonedfish]

Just based on my past usage, but size 12 would be a good starting point and you can go up or down in size from there.
Have fun and post some of your flies once you tie some up.
SF

 

[Tom Butler]

I fish a sz. 14 Daiichi 1550 more than any other.

 

[Zak]

I like a size 14.

 

[Cliff]

I like a size 14.

SF, Tom & Zak, thank you. Onward and upward.

 

[Hoofer]

Soft hackles can be a great approach in lots of situations, including finicky rising fish. I’d probably choose a 14 or 16 in caddis colors if I only got one, but last summer I used everything from 18 or 20 (midges on the Owyhee) to 8 or 10 (drakes at Railroad Ranch.) Different sizes, colors, thicknesses, weights can all work. Hard to have too many!

 

[Cliff]

Soft hackles can be a great approach in lots of situations, including finicky rising fish. I’d probably choose a 14 or 16 in caddis colors if I only got one, but last summer I used everything from 18 or 20 (midges on the Owyhee) to 8 or 10 (drakes at Railroad Ranch.) Different sizes, colors, thicknesses, weights can all work. Hard to have too many!View attachment 106137

Very helpful info, Hoofer, thank you.

 

[Zoran]

I would also start with size 12 hook. Later you could go smaller. You will have so much success. Give us some feedback later please.

 

[Zak]

Lots of ideas here:

Wet Flies – currentseams.com

Posts about Wet Flies written by Steve Culton

currentseams.com

I'm a big fan of Culton's Drowned Ant!

 

[Cliff]

Lots of ideas here:

Wet Flies – currentseams.com

Posts about Wet Flies written by Steve Culton

currentseams.com

I'm a big fan of Culton's Drowned Ant!

Looks great, thanks Zak.

 

[O' Clarkii Stomias]

14 or a 16 Tiemco 200R is what I use 90% of the time. The slight limerick bend combined with the wire size gets em hooked and keeps em hooked. Also, I have become a huge fan of Rio fluoroflex strong in 4.5x for swinging soft hackles. It's spendy, but it strong, knots well and it's the perfect diameter.

 

[mcswny]

Less is more with the hackle. Pick up a copy of Dave Hughes Wet Flies

 

[Zak]

Less is more with the hackle. Pick up a copy of Dave Hughes Wet Flies

View attachment 106177

Great book!

 

[Zak]

This is a good read and good tying video for a classic wet fly that has been very productive for me:

Yvon Chouinard: Lessons from a Simple Fly - Fly Fisherman

Simplicity can lead to a more satisfying way of fishing and a more responsible way of living.

www.flyfisherman.com

Here's an all natural materials version I posted in another thread:

 

[FinLuver]

YouTube videos… Oliver Edwards

 

[Zak]

YouTube videos… Oliver Edwards

That guy makes me think I suck at tying flies!

 

[FinLuver]

That guy makes me think I suck at tying flies!

I know this feeling…

 

[SpeyrodGB]

Another great book.

 

[Zoran]

I just tied few north country spiders. They are very simple and I have several spools from Kimono Silk (Superior Threads).

 

[Dave Westburg]

Size 12, 14 and 16 is what you need. Olive, orange and yellow. I sometimes tie on a single strand of crystal flash under the partridge hackle. You can see it in the pic. I tried an experiment fishing three flies on the River Guar on the rannoch moor several years ago and the fish seemed to prefer the soft hackle with the flash.