Its not often that I feel this generous, so enjoy it while it lasts. This is a fly that I don't show off a lot and often go out of my way to avoid showing people. However, it seriously should be in everyone's box if you fish for trout! I've caught trout on this pattern in freestones and tailwaters. It works best as a dropper under a dry fly although you can fish it in a single or double nymph rig as well. The fly is the Ultra Wire Soft Hackle. Yeah, I haven't come up with a cool name for it and perhaps someone else ties it and already has a name for it. While it is similar to other patterns (copper and partridge anyone?), I haven't seen too many people tying and fishing this pattern.
I can tell you that under the right circumstances, this is as good a dropper as you will find anywhere. Naturally it works best only at certain times. It is not a miracle fly but excels during both caddis hatches and also when mayfly emergers are on the water.
Tie some up and fish them this spring and see what you think.
Hook: TMC 2487 #14
Thread: Tan 8/0
Body: Copper Ultra Wire (or other color to match the prevalent hatch)
Head: SMALL amount of Hare's Mask dubbing or other buggy dubbing
Hackle: 2 turns of partridge or favorite soft hackle feather.
You can tie these things in a HURRY and, did I say, they flat out fish!!!?!!!
Guided Trips
FISHING REPORT AND SYNOPSIS: 12/3/2019
Winter fishing is nearly upon us. Snow yesterday has given way to falling water temperatures in the Smokies. In general, fish will be hunkered down, although by tomorrow they should start to get more active again as temperatures warm. For the next three months, expect many more fish in the slower places in the Park. Think nymphs and maybe streamers but don't be surprised to find fish rising to blue-winged olives or midges on some days.
On tailwaters like the Clinch, brown trout and some fall spawn rainbows are doing their thing. This is a good time to review good ethics when it comes to spawning trout. Remember that these are the next generation of trout and the best thing you can do is to leave them alone. Avoid wading through spawning areas and don't fish for obvious spawners. For the foreseeable future, we should have high water thanks to big rains this last weekend. Fishing out of the drift boat will be very good through the winter with both nymphing and streamer fishing a distinct possibility. Want to swing for the fences and go for just one monster? Streamers will just get better and better going into January and February.
The Caney is slowly coming around. A few shad are coming through the dam, but lingering water quality problems are limiting the fishing. Winter streamer floats will produce shots at larger brown trout for anglers willing to work hard. Next spring should bring good fishing again.
Winter is our favorite time to get on the musky streams. In between bouts of high water, those will be fishing well for the next few months.

Wednesday, February 06, 2013
Killer Soft Hackle
Labels:
Emergers,
Fly Tying,
Soft Hackles,
Ultra Wire Soft Hackle,
UWISH
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I'm gonna try these. The wire will help it stay down too.
ReplyDeleteKevin, that's the idea compared to a "normal" soft hackle. These things sink!!!
DeleteDavid
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen a pattern with this design, very unique, I am really impressed. thanks for shairng
Glad you liked it Bill!!!
DeleteBy the way I forgot to give it the name "Coppergrill"
ReplyDeleteDavid
ReplyDeleteCould you send me your email, for some reason your email link doesn't work on my browser. Thanks Bill btloydtruss13@gmail.com
Bill, email sent. Let me know if it doesn't come through...
DeleteI am busy tying some soft hackles and have tied something similar, but, now have a new pattern to try. Thanks, Dave.
ReplyDeleteMel, I love these flies. They were killer on the Big Thompson in the canyon last fall and assume they'll work great during caddis hatches.
DeleteWhat size hook do you normally use? Is that a 14 in the picture?
ReplyDeleteKevin, that is a #14 and that's basically all I tie it in. It can work in other sizes but I'm mostly going more for an attractor instead of specific match. That said, I'll bet it would be awesome in the smaller sizes as well...
DeleteHey thank David, I'm anxious to try tying some up this weekend. I'll save a few for when we get out.
ReplyDelete