Fly Tying Inventory
Size 24 Midge Soft Hackle
Cheech tied this tiny soft hackle to see how a hen cape feather would behave on a size 24 hook, and it turned out to be a simple tie with the right materials and tools. The body is thread alone, and the hackle is sparse grizzly hen behind a small thread head. Tiny soft hackles earn a place in a winter box, and this one is meant to swing past groups of trout taking midges at the top, where it can draw hard takes. Tied here on a size 24 hook.
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Materials
TMC 101 dry fly hook, size 24
24
Black permanent marker, for the body bands
Black
Whiting 4B Hen Cape, Grizzly (or Natural Dark Dun)
Grizzly
How to Tie the Size 24 Midge Soft Hackle
- 1
Step 1
Mount the hook in the vise, start the thread behind the eye and trim the tag.
- 2
Step 2
Wrap a thin, even layer of thread down the shank to the bend.
- 3
Step 3
Color a length of thread with the black marker. Spiral it forward in open turns so the dark sections land as bands on the pale base, stopping just behind the eye.
- 4
Step 4
Select a small grizzly hen feather and stroke the fibers back from the stem.
- 5
Step 5
Tie the feather in just behind the eye and trim any excess.
- 6
Step 6
Clip hackle pliers on the feather and wrap it in a few sparse turns behind the eye. Tie it off and trim the stem.
- 7
Step 7
Build a small thread head in front of the hackle, whip finish and trim the thread.
Watch Tying Tutorial
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBTN5XAR9Ws
Credit: Cheech / Fly Fish Food