It’s cold in Pulaski, but even on the most miserable days there seems to be a midge hatch. I’ve decided that small flies in natural colors are underutilized on the Salmon River. And so, buoyed by last week’s success with the Snipe and Purple, I took to the tying bench.
Here are four classic soft hackles adapted for steelhead: Pheasant Tail, Leisenring’s Black Gnat, Starling and Herl, and a midge-like rendering of Leisenring’s Iron Blue Nymph. Three of them use the Orvis 1641, a 1x short, 2x strong wet fly hook. They’re a size 12, so they’ll effectively fish as a 14. The other hook is a size 12 Daiichi 1120, likewise 1x short/2x strong. Some of the original patterns called for tinsel; I substituted small diameter wire.
Now all we need is a hatch and some feeders.
Steelhead soft hackles, clockwise from upper left: Pheasant Tail, Black Gnat, Starling and Herl, Iron Blue Midge.
~
Im going back to Altmar tomorrow, let me know your cell # and i will keep you posted. E-mail does not wirk where i fish and stay. This is trip #2 for this fall winter spring season. I did 17 trips last year, cant get as many over the next 6 months but will try.
Steve Douville ( faithful reader) Andover Ct Sent from my iPhone
>
Love my faithful readers. 🙂 You can find my complete contact information here: https://currentseams.com/2013/03/10/steve-cultons-the-fisherman-llc-guide-service/
Opps,
Yes small Pt’s , copper johns, and various soft hackles work SOME days , not always.
Thanks for all the info you share.
Sent from my iPhone
>