Which two soft hackles do you like to fish in tandem? Or, if you had to choose, which 2 soft hackles fished in tandem is most effective for you? Yesterday it was hare's ear and Partridge and Orange. Last September it was Partridge and Red and a drowned grasshopper. Question: if you tie a San Juan wo...

After I tie a soft hackle, I usually preen it a little to get the hackle to stand out and be angled just so. I know of course that a soft hackle fly performs wet and in the water, but I want it to look as nice a possible in the fly box. My problem is that the flies seemed to lose their sharpness, th...

William, Your single pin is the same design that Gunnar Johnson illustrated in his book. Makes sense. http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj514/gingerdun/GunnarsBlock.jpg And if the hand-planed bevel is faster/easier than rounding the shoulder with a router or sanding belt, then why not? The whole ...

OK all of you brillant tiers.... How would you use parakeet blue body feathers and/or an indigo colored (natural) tail feather? I was given barred gray and white feathers as well. A few have that general appearnce of a French partridge feather, but much smaller. Included are two wing coverts(?) Just...

May I get an introduction to your friend in Ireland? Just kidding you. I enjoy your tying and instruction. Thanks Hans!

Beautiful fly, as always. Do you dye alot of feathers, furs and hair? Or do you purchase it or receive it in the colors you use? How does one dye pheasant to a chestnut color

I am looking for substitution of waterhen to tie up the Waterhen Bloa. Coot has been proposed but it too is in short supply. Does anyone have a suggestion for a substitute? Also, I haven't found a supplier in the US or Canada for these products. Please let me know.

Thanks everyone for your input. I have a number of the Water Boatmen and Backswimmer patterns similar to Jeff's contributions. I have never attempted the soft hackle I was trying to locate. But, wanted to tie some up because they are elegant... Hopefully, they fish well even during a corixa "ha...

I found it. The reference was from Diptera.co.uk http://www.diptera.co.uk/patterns/c/corixa_spider_gold.html The recipe listed is: Hook: Kamsan B170 14-16 Thread: Black then Red for the Thorax and Head (I would use Red start to finish) Body: Gold Holographic Tinsel Hackle: Brown or Natural Partridge...

Hans,
When you mix dubbing such as the rabbit and squirrel, do you mix up just enough for the flies you are going to tie immediately, or do you make up a bag and stock it for yourself?