Soft Hackle Flies on the Missouri River | Fly Tying Night in America

Soft Hackles are still overlooked as a producer on the Missouri River. Today on Fly Tying Night in America Hans from Dakota Angler and Outfitters in Rapid City SD shows us the Soft Hackle.

We are nearing the end of our weekly edition of Fly Tying Night in America. Maybe just one more week and we will wrap things up for another winter. We have really enjoyed spinning up some flies with you folks and learning from one another.

See you tonight @ 6pm for fly tying fun til about 8pm at Headhunters Fly Shop in downtown Craig.

Soft Hackle Flies | Montana’s Best Fly?

Netting a soft hackle fish.

Tube flies, beaded nymphs, the perpetually popular Adams, Kreelex’s and many other streamers too, Buzzballs, Clousers, Skwala’s…et cetera. All kick ass I may add.

A fly that nobody has tied this winter fly tying night in America session is the Soft Hackle. A shame too. A great 12 month full time fly on the Missouri that correctly emulates midges, caddis, mayflies…you know, that type of common Missouri River insects.

The important skill to learn is the inclusion of the soft hackle itself. Watch as Hans explains how to implement the proper installment of the feather.

We like the soft hackle in black for midges. A small Starling Soft Hackle will work. the Harrop’s Orange for our PMD’s. Harrop’s Black for midge and Trico action. Bloom’s in brown for generic work, BWO’s too. A Partridge and Orange and a Pheasant Tail Soft Hackle for good measure and you should be set for the year. Oh, some various flavors for the caddis as well.

How do you fish them? Oh, lots of ways. Tie it behind a dry or deep nymph rig for success as well. But the true softy fanatics swing them to bulging or smutting trout. It is so cool when they come tight. Or jerk the rod from your hand…

Another Soft Hackle from Hans below.

Thanks to Hans at the Black Hills South Dakota Angler in Rapid City South Dakota for tying the Soft Hackle. He has all of the materials for any of the flies he ties on his many cool website and blog. He will pop them in the mail when you give him a call. And, if you are in the neighborhood stop in and see him for anything trout related in SD…and check out his great small streams for guided fun!

Squeeky Oar Lock

Mark Raisler is a co-owner of Headhunters Fly Shop, and the primary contributor to the Headhunter. He not only struggles to speak freely but many claim his writing skills are diminishing with every lame Missouri River article...

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