Partridge and Orange

Materials

How to Tie the Partridge and Orange

1. 1

   Step 1

   Mount hook in vise and start orange thread behind the eye. Wrap a smooth thread base to the bend of the hook.

   The thread itself forms the body, so keep wraps neat.

2. 2

   Step 2

   Build the body by wrapping the orange thread forward in smooth, touching turns from the bend to about two eye-widths behind the eye.

   A slim, tapered body is key—avoid bulk.

3. 3

   Step 3

   Select a well-marked Hungarian partridge feather. Strip the fluffy fibers from the base, leaving the barbed section.

   Choose a feather sized to the hook—barbs should reach the hook point.

4. 4

   Step 4

   Tie in the partridge feather by the tip, with the cupped side facing forward. Stroke the fibers back.

   Tying by the tip gives more control over hackle density.

5. 5

   Step 5

   Wrap the partridge feather 1.5 to 2 turns maximum. Tie off and trim the stem.

   Sparse is key—soft hackle flies should be sparsely dressed.

6. 6

   Step 6

   Stroke the hackle fibers rearward and make a few thread wraps to sweep them back. Build a small thread head, whip finish, and apply head cement.

   The hackle fibers should sweep back gracefully toward the bend.