Trimmed Hackles - Butt Ugly Example

[letumgo]

This fly is tyed with trimmed hackle. During my recent trip to Syracuse, I was talking to John Shaner (Greenwell), about the use of trimmed hackle flies. He said that trimming the hackle was common in older flies.

I decided that I wanted to play around with this in some of my own fishing patterns.

In this case, I've taken an over sized Coq De Leon hen saddle hackle and stripped off one side. I then brushed the fibers backwards, so the radiated perpendicular to the center stem. I then trimmed the hackle to length and used it to tye the fly. For a starting point, I suggest trimming the hackle to roughly the distance of the hook gap you are intending to use the hackle on. Go longer (softer) or shorter (stiffer) to suit your needs.

Butt Ugly (or "Green Bugly" for short)
Hook - Mustad Model R50U/Size 12
Thread - 8/0 UNI-Thread (Olive Dun)
Hackle - Whiting Coq De Leon Hen Saddle Feather (Brown Speckled) - stripped and trimmed
Body - UNI Yarn (Olive)

The flies are not very pretty (photographically), but they have a certain "bugginess" which looks extra fishy.I recommend giving this method a try.

[hankaye]

Ray, Howdy;

May be Butt Ugly, but it sure is ...interesting to say the least ...

I likes it.

hank

[DUBBN]

I have been using trimmed hackle for longer than I care to admit on a cased caddis. I prefer dry fly hackle as it holds up better (stiffer) when it gets water logged. It's a good technique Ray, I am glad you are delving in to it.

[redietz]

The technique is commonly used on both the Yeller Hammer and the Breadcrust. (Although other ties exist for both.) Both flies are real killers, and I see no reason this one won't be, too.

[letumgo]

Wayne - I love your cased caddis pattern. Can you list the pattern? I would like to add some of those to my fly box. Once again, you are way ahead of me, buddy.

Bob - I am not familiar with the "Yeller Hammer". Do you have a link with a photo?

[redietz]

Bob - I am not familiar with the "Yeller Hammer". Do you have a link with a photo?

Here's a link to one with a trimmed hackle:

http://www.examiner.com/article/history ... llarhammer

Supposedly, the fly was in use by the Cherokee before Europeans ever got to this continent. If true, it's the oldest American fly still in common use (and may be even if not true.) It's a regionally popular fly in the Southern Appalachians/Great Smokies.

[letumgo]

Thanks Bob! Very interesting little pattern. Glad I asked.

[fflutterffly]

for a flash moment I thought this fly was named the 'butt ugly."

[Ruard]

for a flash moment I thought this fly was named the 'butt ugly."

Looks a good name for me!!

Greeting

Ruard

[letumgo]

(Good one, Ruard!)