Soft hackles
One or two turns of a soft feather such as partridge, sweeping back over the body.
Prepare the feather by stripping the fluff from its base. Tie it in by the tip or stem and make no more than two turns: soft-hackle flies should look sparse.
Stroke the barbs back as you tie off so they sweep over the body.
Common mistakes
- Too many turns, which hides the body and kills the movement.
- Barbs much longer than the hook.