Very good instructional video. I come back back to watch this year after year...You are so relaxed and methodical...I try to replicate in my fishing. Thank you
Sean, Thanks for the video. I'm from across the pond in Yorkshire, England, considered the home of soft hackle techniques, we call it 'spider' fishing and its been around for over 200 years. Just want your viewers to know that, contrary to Mr Davis's impertinent views (look it up Mr D) all you say is correct. It's a great way to fish and your video will help people get into it. Regards Nidd
Soft Hackles are my go to fly. Also use them to search for fish. When the water is flowing heavy I use a sinking line. Also can tie on a nymph dropper which is very effective in the Spring. I have caught fish on soft hackles in the NE, AK, UT and the Yellowstone eco system. Very relaxing, easy and classic way to fly fish. All I do is subtly jig my rod tip on the swing. Let it dangle at the end for a few seconds as well. Best way to teach a new angler to Fly Fish as well. No need to be a super caster. Nice video. Simple and to the point.
Started fishing soft hackles about 2 years ago in Missouri waters. (Die hard streamer guy) Had a blast an caught rainbows, browns and cutthroats all on the same pattern. Great video! Glad the fish cooperated with you!! LOL! that's not usually the case. Will have to try a 2 fly rig - never done that! Thanks again!
Thanks Mike! Appreciate the comment! Try out the 2 fly rig and let me know how it works. I've done that on Missouri in the fall with a beadhead bwo soft hackle and an unweighted bwo softhackle trailer about 12-16" behind it... deadly in those riffles! Best of luck, Sean
It's like fly fishing is going full circle nowadays, as people get into soft hackles and fibre glass rods again. Maybe we will see more tweed hats instead of caps on the river next season lol, Good clear tutorial btw, hope you weren't waiting too long for that hook up!!
+tim3854 Thanks Tim. Haha, yes all the old school gear is back! Although if rubber waders come back into fashion I will not be wearing them! That hook up totally caught me off guard, it was about my fourth actual cast / swing after we were done doing the talking part. I was just looking to get some shots of the cast and swing but didn't expect to have a willing participant... so it was a nice video bonus lol. thanks for watching.
Good information Sean. Thanks. But I can no longer fish the rivers and streams, so all my fishing is in lakes from my jon boat. Can you point me in the right direction for those kind of soft hackle techniques please? C'ya soon.
Hi Joe! Yeah lots of folks fish soft hackles in the lakes! Especially during callibaetis hatches on our local lakes like Amber Lake. During late April / May when the callibaetis are out. Try using a slow sinking line or sink-tip and a callibaetis soft hackle about a size 14. Slow trolling or slow strips work best. Give it a try in the spring and let me know if you have some success! Happy New Years! - Sean
@Silver Bow Fly Shop - Sean Hey my man - need to clarify - by Missouri waters I meant the state of Missouri and not the Missouri River - LOL! Whoops! I will try the two - maybe even a three fly setup. Had a LOT of trout take the fly on the dangle with just a little rod action... BTW - have family in the Port Orchard area - beautiful country up there! Good luck this fall - hope you catch a bunch! Headed to West Virginia next year with my son - will definitely heed your advice.
Oh ha, oops! All good! Well either way a great technique for many trout waters! :) Yes, beautiful area for sure. We live on the "dry side" of the state, but get over that way once in awhile. Best of luck in West Virginia! Hope the soft hackles do well. - Sean
Great video, congratulations! The perfect way to get to the fish in this perfect situation. I've been fishing like that for the last 30 years. It's an ancient and simple tecnique, very rewarding, elegant and light. Maybe the only drawback is that this tecnique relies on fish willing to rise close to the surface to feed on emergers or the like. When it comes the right season or hour it's real fun, but when the fish holds on to the bottom the only choice is nymph fishing, IMO. What do you think about it? Greetings from Italy.
+Raul Montanari Thank you! I agree, simple and very rewarding. Just a box of flies and some tippet and you're ready to go. For those times of the year when they are willing to rise it's a blast getting them close to the surface. On our home river, the Spokane, we will use split shot and get them down under an indicator and swing on the end of the drift during those times when there is less bug activity. Thanks for checking out the video!
As mentioned, can't emphasize enough the notion of getting some weight on at least one of the flies. I tie my soft hackles with wraps of wire to get them down to the cobble before they start to straighten and lift at the end of the drift. This is what fish see in real life, bugs leaving the cobble for the surface. Very effective way to fish. When their are no fish rising to dries on the surface, soft hackles are your searching patterns.
This guy really limits when and where to fish soft hackles. Also the use of a bead is less effective as an unweighted fly. I don't think he has a very good understanding of soft hackles.
This is a simple, basic video as I stated to you before in a comment you made a couple months ago. Yes, the possibilities are endless as with many fly fishing techniques. Also, why are you taking the time comment two times on my videos? If you have a problem with me you can contact me at my fly shop 509-924-9998, or come by and visit to speak with me directly in person.
Matthew Davis lol thanks. This is a BASIC video which covers more classic ways to fish soft hackles. And yes, like any technique in fly fishing there is no ABSOLUTE only way to fish something and the possibilities are endless. These are simply some suggestions. As a matter of fact I was fishing Christmas Eve this week and hooked a fish on a soft hackle. Thanks for your completely useless comment. Take your negativity elsewhere if you don’t like it.
