Howdy,

The rainy days of Fall (and early Spring) are always a good time to try soft hackle wet flies, emergers and other similar flies. When you run into “one of those days” when it’s gray, overcast and sprinkling rain now and then, you have some options available to you. Small (16-22) Blue Wing Olives are a lot of angler’s “go-to” fly in these conditions. You’ll also see folks tying on a Griffith’s Gnat, a Bi-Visible or even a Renegade. That’s because when it’s cool, damp and gray about the only bugs you’ll see in the air are Midges. But it’s also a great time to go “old school” and tie on a classic from across the Pond – The Orange Partridge.

Orange Partridge Soft Hackle

This fly pattern dates back to the late 1800′s and has been widely used in England for years.  You’ll also hear it called the Partridge and Orange, Orange Spider and a few other names.  The picture above seems to be the most common pattern with a silk/floss body, minimal dubbing on the thorax and 1 to 1 1/2 turn of partridge feather hackle.    You’ll also see this pattern tied with a tail of partridge, wire ribbing, heavier hackling, different colored floss (olive, yellow, gold) and sometimes even with a fully dubbed and tapered body.  All of the variations are effective in catching a fish’s attention.  This pattern imitates an emerging insect.  The hackles simulate the legs of a nymph, sweeping back in the current or when stripping, then flair out on a dead drift or between strips.

Well fed Native Rainbow

The chubby little native rainbow took a olive body variation of the fly quite aggressively, as did several of it’s river mates in the same pool between 2 sets of rapids

Tying the soft hackle is very quick and simple. The only downside I’ve found is that the silk/floss body section gets torn up pretty quickly after a few fish.  The sharp little teeth of a trout does a lot of damage to the fly.  However, it still fishes well even when it gets a little ragged.  I’m sure that some of the latter variations of the pattern were developed because of that.  The addition of wire ribbing likely aids in preserving the fly.  The use of dubbing may have resulted because the fly still performs when chewed up.

Don’t hesitate to try a “simple” fly when the conditions are less than perfect.  When all you see on the surface are midges, change to a soft hackle.  The fish are likely feed on larva, nymphs and emergers down in the water column during these times.

Tight Lines!

Dave