Pearl Soft Hackle
The Pearl Soft Hackle is a searching pattern for those in-between moments when no hatch is obvious but fish are moving. The flash of pearl mylar or UV ice dub in the body catches subsurface light and draws curious fish from a wide area, while the soft hackle collar breathes and pulses on the swing. Fish it on a classic downstream-and-across presentation with a slow mend or allow it to arc across the current in a broad sweep just below the surface.
- 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: Black or red 8/0
- tag: Red or orange thread (optional)
- body: Pearl mylar tubing, Estaz, or UV ice dubbing
- ribbing: Fine silver wire (optional)
- hackle: Hen back or partridge, 2 turns
Tying steps
- Start thread at the bend of a wet fly hook; tie in a short tag of bright red or orange thread as an attractor butt.
- Tie in a length of pearl mylar tubing or medium pearl Estaz at the bend.
- Wind the pearl body forward in touching turns to the 2/3 point, tie off, and trim.
- Optionally add a fine silver wire rib over the pearl body for segmentation and durability.
- Prepare a hen back or partridge feather; tie in by the tip and wind 2 turns as a wet hackle collar.
- Stroke fibers rearward, build a small neat head, whip finish, and cement.