🎣 Welcome
A perfect blend of traditional technique and modern color flair, the Solaris Soft Hackle Fly is a versatile pattern that shines in both stillwaters and streams. Designed to suggest emerging caddis, mayfly nymphs, or even midge pupae depending on presentation, the Solaris is simple to tie and deadly effective. Its vibrant profile and flowing hackle offer irresistible motion—ideal for swinging, dead-drifting, or slow stripping.
Let’s go! 🎣💥
Recipe:
• Standard Dry Fly Hook, Size 14. Use a Tiemco TMC 100 or similar hook for a classic silhouette.
• UTC Ultra Thread, Brown 70d. Start with brown thread to lay a natural foundation for body work.
• Gold Tinsel Adds segmentation and a flash trigger for extra attraction.
• Pheasant Feathers. For tailing or soft hackle effect, these provide subtle, natural movement.
•UTC Ultra Thread, Green & Yellow. Use alternate colors for accent wraps or highlighting the thorax.
• Hend’s Spectra Dubbing. For a vibrant, UV-reflective thorax with brilliant motion in the water.
• Loon Outdoors Head Cement. Finish it off clean and secure with this durable, easy-to-use adhesive.
🎣 Step-by-Step Tying Instructions:
Step 1: Mount the Hook
Secure your hook in the vise with the shank horizontal and a firm grip. Start your thread just behind the eye and lay down a smooth base to the bend.
Step 2: Add Ribbing (Optional)
Tie in a short length of small gold or copper wire at the bend of the hook. Let it hang for now—this will be counter-wrapped later to reinforce the body.
Step 3: Form the Body
Tie in 2–3 strands of peacock herl or apply UV dubbing for a glossier, flashier effect. Wrap the herl or dubbing forward in tight, even turns to about 2/3 of the way up the hook shank.
Step 4: Secure the Ribbing
Counter-wrap the wire rib through the body material, spacing it evenly. This not only adds durability but also introduces a segmented, lifelike effect. Tie off the rib and snip the excess.
Step 5: Build the Thorax
Dub a small but prominent section of bright orange dubbing (like Ice Dub) just ahead of the body. This creates a visual trigger and helps prop the hackle.
Step 6: Tie in the Soft Hackle
Select a partridge feather with fine, webby fibers. Strip the fluff from the base and tie it in by the tip, directly in front of the thorax. Take 1–2 wraps max, then secure and trim the stem. The fibers should sweep back naturally.
Step 7: Finish the Fly
Build a small thread head, whip finish, and add a drop of head cement for durability.
Fishing Tips:
- Fish the Solaris Soft Hackle on a swing or lift to activate the hackle fibers.
- Use it as a dropper fly in a two-fly rig during hatch periods.
- Ideal for trout in both freestone rivers and stillwaters when subtle movement matters.
Final Thoughts:
The Solaris Soft Hackle is all about movement and attraction. Its vivid orange thorax paired with natural partridge hackle gives it the ability to imitate several aquatic insects in different life stages. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, this pattern belongs in your fly box.
Check out some of our favorite Fly Tying Gear:
- Vise – Dynaking Barracuda Deluxe Pedestal Vise
- Scissors – Kopter ABSOLUTE Blade Micro Serrated Edge Thin Point
- Bodkin – Dr. Slick Jumbo Carbon Fiber Bodkin
- Whip Finisher – Tiemco Midge Whip Finisher
- Tool Kit – Umpqua Dream Stream Plus 7 Piece Fly Tying Tool Kit
