Soft Hackled Fly

Hook: Any 1XL hook, sizes 12 to 20- I used a light wire hook to give the fly better movement in the currents

Thread: Olive or brown 8/0

Tail: Wood duck, or dyed mallard substitute

Body: Live synthetic, such as Antron or Spirit River Fine 'n' Dry (I used the Spirit River)- olive hare's ear makes a fuzzy substitute that's great too

Hackle: Grizzly hen neck or partridge

Antennae: Wood duck flank fibers, splayed (or substitute)

As any pattern, this one can be altered to get different effects. Hare's ear makes a fuzzy bug, but muskrat makes a general pattern in gray. It's nothing more than a go-to pattern that works when it shouldn't, imitating nearly anything in different colors. I had tied this and sent it out by the time I realized it was a near exact copy of a pattern called the Emerging Caddis, the only difference being no tail and pheasant tail antennae. Try it tiny- it really works as a BWO nymph when dead drifted.