soft hackle material

Rod17 · 2025-10-11T14:45:31-0400

I watched a YouTube video with Simon Gawesworth from Far Banks/Rio, on fishing soft hackles. When describing soft hackle flies he described them as "pulsating" under water and creating life like movement.

I took my soft hackle fly box and tied a bunch of different flies, size 16 and 18, onto tippet and pulled them around my pool to see what they looked like under water. None of the soft hackles "pulsated" but basically kept the same shape as they had when dry. They looked really nice, but the wings and soft hackles looked a bit stiff underwater.

Now, these soft hackle and wet flies were purchased from several of the on-line, discount fly stores in the US, so thinking they may not be tied with the best material?

I don't tie flies so, would like some advice on what type of materials I should be looking for when buying soft hackle flies to get the best underwater action. The Far Bank/Rio site has soft hackles that look great and the hackles look very different from what I see on my flies. Anyone have experience with Rio flies or advice for where to buy high quality soft hackles?

Thanks!!

Randy

SSPey · 2025-10-11T15:15:16-0400

There are many options, anything soft. Partridge is a classic with nice mottling, but small feathers to size 16-18 are rare. You can tie in barbs of any soft feather to any length using a dubbing loop.

PJM · 2025-10-11T18:32:11-0400

I don't tie anything that small myself but my understanding is that Starling is what is predominantly used for those smaller sizes

thegreydrake · 2025-10-12T10:44:52-0400

Partridge, starling, grouse, hen hackle. Anything webby. I wouldn’t worry about it “pulsating”, the fish don’t care.

Elbo · 2025-10-12T11:45:35-0400

For bigger soft hackle, hen necks work well.

Rod17 · 2025-10-12T11:49:38-0400

TheGreyDrake: thanks for comment about the idea of "pulsing". Thats was the heart of my question.

Randy

Beavdan · 2025-10-14T09:47:28-0400

I’m wondering about the validity of your test. Towing flies in any still water is not the same as a stream with its micro currents, etc. The natural environment will more than likely cause any fly with truly soft hackles to pulse. Just something to consider. Best of luck!

SSPey · 2025-10-14T10:47:49-0400

Yes, and even in still water, most fishing retrieves are not a simple tow. Strips to pulse the fly. Reverse spiders are a classic for sea-run cutts for good reason

Razswinger · 2025-10-14T10:08:46-0400

At times, I put a small amount dubbing in and use the soft hackle in front of it.

Elbo · 2025-10-14T10:40:13-0400

Regarding pulsing, in ambient air the hackle fibers look static. When the fly is in water,’as example in a drinking glass with no movement the hackle fibers are similar to those in air. Any movement in water however applies a bending moment to the feather fiber. The softer the feather,’the longer the fiber and the faster the movement in water, the further the fiber will bend.

The recovery to the fibers natural position similarly depends on the counterforce applied to the fiber. If you want a lot of movement whether in a lake or stream, use soft feathers, CDC or marabou. Stiffer such as mallard move less but they move. Whether the fish cares, probably depends.

soft hackle material

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