Partridge and Green

beginnerwet flysoft hackleclassictraditionaltroutstreamriverspringfall

Description

Partridge and Green is a traditional soft-hackle wet fly in the North Country spider family. The green silk body and sparse partridge hackle suggest small caddis, drowned olives, and other slim-bodied insects drifting just below the surface. Fish it on trout streams in spring through fall, especially on a slow swing or lifted at the end of the drift.

Materials

Tying Instructions

  1. 1.

    Secure a Standard Wet Fly Hook in the vise and start the green silk one eye-length behind the eye.

  2. 2.

    Wrap the silk rearward in touching turns to the start of the bend.

  3. 3.

    Wrap the silk forward in smooth, touching turns to form a slim green body.

  4. 4.

    Stop the body one eye-length behind the eye and leave the silk hanging there.

  5. 5.

    Strip the fluff from a Hungarian Partridge Hackle and select fibers about one hook-gap long.

  6. 6.

    Tie in the partridge feather by the tip with the dull side facing you.

  7. 7.

    Make one or two sparse turns of hackle and stroke the fibers rearward as you wrap.

  8. 8.

    Secure the hackle stem, trim the waste, and build a small neat head.

  9. 9.

    Whip finish and apply head cement.