Many Eastern anglers are probably encountering good hatches of sulphurs (Ephemerella dorothea dorothea) on their locals waters, while Westerners still have to wait a few weeks for their subspecies (Ephemerella dorothea infrequens) to start popping. Last month, we featured a great step-by-step video on tying a parachute pattern to match sulphur duns.
Now, the same folks from Tightline Productions, are back with a very simple, but effective soft-hackle version. Swinging Soft Hackles through the heads of riffles is a great tactic for the middle of the day when nothing is hatching, as well as for the hour or so before you expect the hatch to occur. The soft hackles (in this case, Hungarian partridge) that give this style of fly its name offer plenty of attractive action in the water, and Soft Hackles imitate emerging nymphs quite accurately.
As usual with a Tightline Productions video, you’ll also learn some tying tricks that will make make you more efficient at the vise. The man does love him some Superglue, and for good reason.
Sulphur Soft Hackle
Hook: 1X-long nymph hook, here a Dai-Riki 60, sizes 12-18.
Thread: Brown UTC, 70 denier.
Tail and thorax: Pheasant-tail fibers.
Abdomen: Fluorescent orange UTC Ultra Wire, size brassie.
Adhesive: Zap-A-Gap.
Hackle: Hungarian partridge.
Head: Thread and head cement.