Magic Mystery Fly

[Kim-n-Kota]

A few years ago on the Green I bought a few of these super-soft hackle flies at one of the shops because the dude said they were good. I didn't catch anything with them that trip, and honestly they just sat in my fly box pretty much unused until this summer. I don't know what it is, but as a dry dropper about 4-6 inches under the surface it has just been ROCKING, especially in the early evenings.

Size is about 16-18. I can't tell if they are taking it as a caddis pupa, mayfly emerger, scud, or something else.

Suffice to say, I've lost my last one. I think I just the heck out of the guys at Sportman's and High County Outfitters (FishTech is next on my list to try) but I can't seem to find the fly or figure out what hackle materal to use to tie my own. It looks a lot like this:

[url "http://greenriverflyshop.myshopify.com/collections/green-river-custom-flies/products/beadhead-tungsten-grey-softhackle"]http://greenriverflyshop.myshopify.com/collections/green-river-custom-flies/products/beadhead-tungsten-grey-softhackle[/url]

Not that I would mind another trip to the Green to buy some more, but can anyone shed some light to what this is immitating and/or hackle material to use? It is really really fine, closest I've been able to get is maraboo tips kinda spun like deer hair. But they never look quite right. Ideas?
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[Tarponjim]

Could be soft hen hackle. Maybe strip one side of the hackle before wrapping. Partridge would work, but that's not what I see in the pictured fly. Just look for the softest little hackles you can find. They're usually cheap too!
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[flygoddess]

I agree with Jim. I have some 100's that I have tied some special Provo S/H I use and it looks about the same. Also a light Dun Color.
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[HFT]

Brama hen cape. Starling will give you ths look also. Called a soft hackle sow in the Rockies. I tie mine with fl. Orange thread for the head instead of the bead. size 18 has long been my go to pattern when I am struggling to get a catch, it turns my luck.
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[Kim-n-Kota]

Appreciate it, folks! My laying hens are on the molt, so I've been experimenting today with softest, smallest feathers I can find in the coop. It's starting to look better. I guess I need to look into buying an actual hen cape or some starling (the guy at High Country suggested a BB gun for obtaining the later, but those birds kind of gross me out...) Anyway, thanks again.
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[HFT]

The feathers you need from a hen are the small ones by the head. Not just any hen cape,Brama. Starling,I used to get from Hareline Dubbing Co.,if you find a store that carries that brand they can order it for you. I found Brama's to be easier to use and sturdier. Hoffman grows them.
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[TubeDud]

I think brahma and starling will give that fly too dark and mottled of a profile. It's important when you tie that fly that you use the neck (cape) of a light dun hen hackle. The dle feathers will be too long.

I have fished that fly on the green and it is a cold blooded killer. If all else fails, fish a tungsten Barr's Emerger.
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[HFT]

To look at them you might think they would go on too dark but when they are flared out they actually have a light appearance. Neither Brahma or starling have a mottled feather.
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[TubeDud]

Brahmas absolutely are mottled...
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[HFT]

You are correct. Except for the feathers you use for a size 16-18 come from the neck portion of the cape and do not contain the spotted or blotchy coloration of the larger feathers to the rear of the cape. I have 5 of these capes, because I like this style of fly. Attatched pic of the color I use.
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[flygoddess]

Why couldn't one use CDC?
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[Kim-n-Kota]

Well, that's pretty much what I ended up doing. Except it's hen flank fluff where I think true CDC is from duck. Anyway, it's free and plentiful in my backbard.

But... we're back in business! Success with my homemade versions so far on both the Weber and Millcreek:

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