Mohito Soft Hackle

[letumgo]

Mohito Soft Hackle (flymph style)
Hook - Daiichi Model 1710/Size 14
Thread - Pearsall's Gossamer Silk (Green)
Rear Body - Tying thread lightly dubbed with wool dubbing blend (half cream/half lemongrass)
Hackle - Indian Hen Saddle Hackle (Creamy Tan) - stripped on one side to let body show through hackle
Front Body - Wool dubbing blend (half cream/half lemongrass)

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Mohito Soft Hackle (standard thorax style)
Hook - Daiichi Model 1710/Size 14
Thread - Pearsall's Gossamer Silk (Green)
Hackle - Indian Hen Saddle Hackle (Creamy Tan)
Abdomen - Pearsall's Gossamer Silk (Green)
Thorax - Wool dubbing blend (half cream/half lemongrass)

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Mohito Soft Hackle (scruffy style)
Hook - Daiichi Model 1710/Size 14
Thread - Pearsall's Gossamer Silk (Green)
Hackle - Indian Hen Saddle Hackle (Creamy Tan)
Body - Pearsall's Gossamer Silk (Green) dubbed with wool dubbing blend (half cream/half lemongrass)
After the fly is finished, it is worked over heavily with a velcro strip to fuzz the body.

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[letumgo]

These flies are named after a Cuban drink, called a Mohito. The colors are based on ingredients of the drink (lemons, limes, crushed mint leaves). The only thing missing is the rum...

If I had to pick a favorite, it would be the flymph style.

[CreationBear]

Excellent: we have a Little Green Stonefly hatch here in the Smokies where that fly would do very nicely! A question for you: is there really much difference between Indian hackle and genetic hen hackle in terms of number of fibers or stiffness? While I pony-up for Whiting rooster hackle for my dries, I was never sure about paying the premium for hen capes--though I'm sure their stems make life a little easier.

[letumgo]

Is there really much difference between Indian hackle and genetic hen hackle in terms of number of fibers or stiffness?

Interesting question. I have tyed with both Indian hen hackle (saddle) and genetic hen hackle (neck), and honestly like them both. It is my impression that the Indian hen (saddle) hackle tends to have longer and softer fibers, when compared with the genetic hen (neck) feathers. If you compare the Indian hen saddle to the genetic hen saddles, they are quite similar in terms of softness and fiber length. The price and quality of the Indian hen feathers, makes them a great value. The genetic necks and saddles have the advantage when it comes to color choices. Indian hen tends to only come in five of six different colors.

I feel the genetic feathers (necks) tend to have shorter and stiffer fibers, but the feathers are longer. You can tye a single fly with the Indian Hen hackle, but can tye two of three flies with the genetic hen neck feather. This may be an important difference if you are a commercial production tyer. I only tye for myself, so it is not an important difference.

The markings on an Indian hen feather are similar to those of other game birds (mottled). This makes them an ideal substitutes if your just getting started and want to save money. (ha ha...yeah right...save money in fly tying )

I am interested to hear what others think about the differences as well. Feel free to chime in.

[CreationBear]

Thanks for the reply--I'm in the midst of "reconfiguring" my materials hoard as I get sucked into y'all's little world, so I'm trying to sort out what's essential from what's just "nice to have." Now tell me again when I'll start saving all that money? Right now, I think I have as much invested in one Partridge-and-Orange as I did in those $12 Yo-Zuri stickbaits I used to buy...

[letumgo]

*chuckle*

As far as essentials, I suggest the following:

Hooks (small sizes/12 to 20/your choice of style)
Thread (regular thread, or silk are common)
Hare's Mask (or packs of natural fur dubbing)
Peacock Herl
Metal Tinsel (oval or flat)
Full Hungarian Partridge Skin (one of the best investments I have made in fly tying - tons of uses)
Indian Hen

If you have been tying for a while, you probably have most of the basics. Don't be afraid to use substitutes.

[cicvara]

-very nicely done, three is my favorite.

[hankaye]

Howdy Ray,

The following, (copy/paste from your post, answer to CreationBear), has me confused

"It is my impression that the Indian hen (saddle) hackle tends to have longer and softer fibers, when compared with the genetic hen (neck) feathers. If you compare the Indian hen saddle to the genetic hen saddles, they are quite similar in terms of softness and fiber length." ?

Thanks,
hank

[letumgo]

Sorry. I see why that can be confusing.

In the first sentance I am comparing saddle feathers to neck feathers. The feathers from the saddle area are different that those from the neck area. In the second sentance I was trying to compare saddles versus saddles (similar feather types)

I will try to take a couple pictures to illustrate the difference...as Arnold would say "I'll be back"

[hankaye]

Thanks Ray, I see the differance now that you've pointed it out ("Do-o-o-o-o-o-oh!" I have my Homer Simpson moments), any an all help greatfully appericated. hank