How to tie a Soft Hackle Duckfly with Davie McPhail

The Soft Hackle fly idea was said to have developed in the regions between Northern England and Scotland, perhaps even as long as 500 years ago and has been written around in books many times over, such as The Soft Hackled Addict (1993) and The Soft Hackled Fly (1975) both written by Mr. Sylvester Nemes.
This type of fly is so successful due to a trout's tendency to feed on insects that are transitioning from their Nymph form to an adult form, which are mimicked by emerger flies. This idea led to the creation of a wet fly without wings which will be made even more effective by the soft hackle imitating the legs of the fly, moving in such a natural and enticing way that the fish cannot resist.

These concepts partner well with a Duckfly pattern, which imitates a drowning midge to be truly irresistible to the fish.
Patterns similar to the below Soft Hackle Duckfly include Spider (Black & Peacock) and the regular Duckfly Emerger.
All of the materials needed to tie this fly are available from Glasgow Angling Centre as listed below, but as always if you need any help finding materials or substitutes then we'll be happy to help. But now it's time to learn from Davie McPhail, here's how to tie a Soft Hackle Duckfly.



Materials Used:
Hook: Kamasan B110 Grubber: Sz12
Thread: UTC Thread - 70dn Black
Body: Dyed Red Peacock Quill
Wing Buds: Uni-Floss Neon Hot Orange
Thorax: Natural Peacock dyed Claret
Hackle: Hen dyed Badger

Additional materials: Additionally, Davie made use of some Super Glue across the fly, a finishing coat of Varnish and a black permanent marker.

Davie's preferred type of whip finish tool can be found HERE!