How to Tie a Soft Hackle

Soft hackle feathers are a primary component of many dry and wet fishing flies. Soft hackle feathers are typically obtained from game birds such as partridge, bobwhite and quail. The coloration of soft hackles ranges from tan to black with many shades in between. Handling and tying soft hackle feathers is part of the skill necessary to produce fly imitations that are true to the insects they replicate.

Things You'll Need

  • Feather
  • Scissors
  • Fly-tying vise
  • Fly hook
  • Fly-tying thread
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Instructions

    • 1

      Place a fly hook in a fly-tying vise. Position the hook with the shank on top and the hook point on the bottom. Hold a feather by the tip of the stem.

    • 2

      Use your thumb and index finger to pull the feather fibers against the grain.

    • 3

      Use scissors to trim the feather fibers close to the stem on one side.

    • 4

      Lay down the feather parallel to the shank. Place the tip of the feather on the hook shank, where it will be tied in place. The tip of the feather is tied in place on the hook.

    • 5

      Secure the feather tip to the hook shank with several turns of thread.

    • 6

      Wind the feather around the hook shank so the individual fibers flare out from the shank.