flyfish Posted November 1, 2012 Share Posted November 1, 2012 In my quest and research for for eliminating those hundreds of flies from the fly box. I came across a an old article on a a lost hard drive sent to me in 2004 (published 2005)by Dave Sylstra of the California flytyers, a super effective pattern, super easy. Here you go Dennis this one is for you... please do not tie in your favourite colours to match the hatch in your favourite streams... The key to the success for this fly is the hook... roy...SimpleSoftHackle.pdf 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vince Posted November 1, 2012 Share Posted November 1, 2012 Roy A very nice looking fly....looks like a fish catcher. Vince Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyfish Posted November 1, 2012 Author Share Posted November 1, 2012 Vince a great easy tie and a good fish catcher in sizes 14 and 16 that covers all the emergers in the Mayfly category. I rarely see seizes 12 and larger in our region but there are exceptions, green drakes on the Elk can reach this size. 18's and smaller covers the chironomids. A heavy scud hook works well for the emergers, and for late evening top film feeders if tied with a very light dry fly hook it will float to some degree depending on the amount of dubbing used in the thorax, and the length of you leader. I guess I should of place this in the pattern section sorry guys. Roy.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DennisS Posted November 1, 2012 Share Posted November 1, 2012 Roy now I really like this one. Just saw it. This will not only cover all the mayflies but also Caddis emergers in the right colours you could use for the small stoneflies also. Sylverster even tied some really big orange soft hackle and use in stonefly hatches and caught fish on them. I'm telling you soft hackles is the way to go. I have a book done by a guy out the US last name I believe is Allen and he writes using soft hackles with brass beads & tungsten. I am actually going to start rereading that book. He goes though the materials used He even brakes down the areas of the hares mask and the colors you get in each area. I don't think it's in the club Library. I will bring it with me for the next meeting. Tight Lines Always Dennis S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fsabac Posted November 3, 2012 Share Posted November 3, 2012 Here is the book: http://www.amazon.com/Tying-Fishing-Soft-Hackled-Nymphs-Allen/dp/1571884033 I am sure we do not have it. Should I order a copy? Florin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DennisS Posted November 5, 2012 Share Posted November 5, 2012 Yes order the book. It not only talks about soft hackles it talks about some of the materials used. Tight Lines Always Dennis S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyfish Posted November 11, 2012 Author Share Posted November 11, 2012 Florin, Please order at least 2 copies, i know Dennis will be hogging the only copy ordered all winter. cheers, roy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DennisS Posted November 13, 2012 Share Posted November 13, 2012 Roy not to worry I have my own copy. Matter of fact I have this copy for 2 or 3 yrs already. As I said it very good becasue he goes through a bit of histroy then into materials then how to prepare some of the materials(hares ear) Then how to fish them top to bottom. It's a very good book. I wil bring it Wed night so you can take a look at it. Tight Lines Always Dennis S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyfish Posted November 16, 2012 Author Share Posted November 16, 2012 Thanks Dennis, I may have to buy a personal copy as well Roy.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fsabac Posted November 17, 2012 Share Posted November 17, 2012 Book is on the way (only one copy), should be here on Wednesday, may or may not make it to the meeting on time. Florin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DennisS Posted November 19, 2012 Share Posted November 19, 2012 I started to reread the book & just reading the introduction was a refresher on how versital the softhackle really is. I started working on a partridge & orange and is sure turned out nice. Mind you I did Dennisize it a bit. Glitter thread body & a Poly wing(white & about 10 or so fibers give or take a couple) and Orange tying thread for the head. Tight Lines Always Dennis S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave robinson Posted November 19, 2012 Share Posted November 19, 2012 Dennis: What body length for the P&O do you tie? I've seen tied with body ranging from shank length to merely about 8 to 10 wraps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DennisS Posted November 19, 2012 Share Posted November 19, 2012 Dave I'm a full bodied type guy. I go to about where the barb was. I tye in a thorax of peacock so the body does end up being a bit shorter. Tight Lines Always Dennis S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Junior Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 Now you've got me wondering, Dave. I'll have to tye some up with various body lengths to see if it makes any difference. I usually make them just a little shorter than the standard for other flies, stopping above the point of the hook, rather than the barb. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DennisS Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 I'm not a 100% sure but I think the length of of the body determined where or region the fly was made & used in England & Scotland. Tight Lines Always Dennis S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave robinson Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 The reason I asked is that I've seen different lengths in different books. Some are a s hort as half shank length, which combined with the dubbing behind the hackle makes for a very short body. Others are like Dennis which are woudn back to the barb. I have no idea why the difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Junior Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 The explanation I've always heard for the different body lengths is the frugality of the tyer. That, and tradition. Those that were somewhat economically challenged used as little material as they could get away with. Those that were better off would dress the whole shank (and thought nothing of breaking off a handful of thread with every jam knot ) . So today, if you want to tye a proper P&O like a good Yorkshireman, you tye it with a short body even if you are the richest guy in town. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave robinson Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 (edited) So short bodies were just tradtion from cheap tyers then? And here I thougth there was some esoteric explanation about immitiatng smaller midges on larger hooks or body length being dependent on hackle length to keep proportions accurate. I wonder how many other patterns and pattern details are due to frugality. Anybody want to start a list? How about the old bootlace hopper... Edited November 21, 2012 by dave robinson Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DennisS Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 I don't know my suggestion sounds much better than someone to cheap to use more material. Tight lines Always Dennis S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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