Soft Hackle Streamer

[Izaak]

Ray,

Thanks for posting the step by step and photos. Very helpful and well done! I noticed on Jack Gartside's website that he seemed to stress tying in the quills by the butt end, likewise with the collar feather, whereas you tie the feathers in by their tips. Have you tried both ways, and if so, how do the two compare? Is one easier, less bulk, better result, etc.?

Tom

[William Anderson]

Brilliant! I don't think I have the streamer hackle or the marabou, so it looks like on the hunt for streamer materials and some lumber to build an addition to the armoire. .

w

[letumgo]

Tom - I am aware that Jack insisted on tying in by the stem. I have tried his method, but found I preferred the results better when I tyed in by the tip. The hackle just seems to lay down better for me and I had less problems breaking off the marabou plume when it was being wrapped when tyed in by the tip. As I am sure you know, these flies are surprisingly durable fishing flies. I don't remember ever having one of these come apart on me while fishing. Somehow I think the fluffy fibers help protect the wrapped stem.

Although these flies may be a stretch on the flymph forum, I still think they fall within the wide spectrum of soft hackle flies. Thanks for starting this post.

Have you tried soaking the fly and letting it air dry over night? This is a nice way to train the marabou to behave a little better. I find that I get a better minnow profile by doing wetting the fly and letting it slowly air dry.

[Izaak]

Ray,

Shortly after my last post I sat down at the tying desk to experiment with tying in the marabou by the butt, and then by the tip, and discovered that you get a slimmer profile by tying in by the tip. Not that either one is better, just different results. I'm guessing that Jack preferred the "fluffier" look. I think his tie might have a bit more action in the water when stripping the fly as the marabou would tend to fluff back up on the pause, then stream back during the strip. Just a guess. I've tied up several in the last few days using several different colors, including your Spectrum leech which I really like.

Tom

[letumgo]

Great point Tom. I was going for the slimmer profile and had not thought about the action of the fly. Marabou is an inherently soft material, so it already has a lot of action in the water. I need to try to fish some with both types of construction to see if I have a preference. For now, I lean towards the tip-tyed method because for the shape of the fly (more minnow like). Let me know how the Spectrum Leech works for you. I have had reports of success from many places.

[Izaak]

Ray,

Will do on the Spectrum Leech!

One more thing...your collars look really nice and clean. How do you tie in the feather? Tip forward? Any tips on making a nice collar would be appreciated? Step by step photos?!

[letumgo]

The hackle is tyed in by the tip (at the V-notch) and then doubled back over the tying thread, to lock it in place. I then grasp the butt end of the feather in one hand, and fold the hackle over the step before wrapping. Wrap the folded hackle feather forward until you get to bare stem. Secure with the tying thread and trim off the remaining stem. Form the head of the fly, whip finish and clip off. I don't think I can give photos, since it is a two handed operation... I'm not that flexible. (humor)

[Izaak]

Ray,

Thanks, that was just right. I thought that was how you were doing it. Three hands would come in "handy" wouldn't it?!

Tom