Partridge and Orange
The Partridge and Orange is the companion to the Partridge and Yellow, and together they anchor any soft hackle collection. The orange body is especially effective during caddis hatches and in the late afternoon when fish are feeding on emergers. Fish it on a slow downstream swing or upstream dead-drift, letting the current breathe life into the partridge hackle.
- Type
- wet fly (Caddis)
- Hook sizes
- #12–16
- Target species
- trout
- Difficulty
- beginner
- Best seasons
- spring, summer, fall
Materials
- hook: Wet fly hook #12–16
- thread: Orange 8/0
- body: Orange silk, floss, or thread, slim
- hackle: Brown or gray partridge, 1–2 loose turns swept back
Tying steps
- Mount a size 12–16 wet fly hook; start orange thread at the bend.
- Wind orange silk, floss, or thread in smooth even layers from bend to the 3/4 mark.
- Tie in a brown or gray partridge feather by the tip.
- Make 1–2 loose turns of partridge hackle; sweep fibers back.
- Tie off, build a tiny head, whip finish, and cement.
- Stroke the partridge hackle fibers backward and hold them with a dampened fingertip while tying off to keep them swept neatly.
- Build the smallest possible thread head — 4–5 thread wraps — before whip finishing.
- Apply a single thin coat of lacquer to the completed head; let dry completely before fishing.