I was taught at SowBug last year to tie the tip of the feather in for small soft hackles. Pull the barbs down and tie the stem with about 5 or 6 barbs left on the tip end. Cut this off and wrap. I have used several feathers to wrap small hooks doing it this way.
HTH Rick > > I want to add a soft hackle to a couple of nymph patterns. The problem I am encountering is that most of the stuff i have seems to be better suited for 14 to 16 flies and up of course. Now with that said I have not "tried" all the feathers i have at my disposal. Can you fine folks make a suggestion? I want to have a small soft hackle on some red fox squirrel nymphs, pheasant tail nymphs and a couple others in sizes 16 and 18. Now, the materials that I have at my house "in stock" you might say are: India hen necks, partridge, grouse, metz hen saddle and pheasant rump. > > DonO if you read this, Whiting has a beautifully speckled patch that is black and grey. Substitute for partridge. What is the name of that. Chris helm was selling them at the tying expo this winter and I was going to buy one but I had just received a partridge skin, so I didnt buy it. Now I wish I had it because I think that that speckle would look real nice. > > john ridderbos
