Baetis Soft
submitted by Elaine Cook
This is a soft hackle emerger that was developed for fishing in slack water, back eddies, along seams, and foam lines. It can be dead-drifted in or under the surface film. Another effective method is to allow it to sink, then raise it up in the water column.
| Hook: | Dai-Riki 300 (1X long dry hook) May substitute Mustad 3906 B or TMC 3761 A Dai-Riki 135 (scud hook, heavy wire) or TMC 2457 may also be used If you are unable to get any of the above use a standard dry fly hook such as a TMC 100, sizes 16-20 |
| Thread: | Black 8/0 |
| Shuck: | Olive, rust or cream Antron |
| Body: | Black Antron dubbing and one strand |
| Thorax: | Dark olive Antron dubbing |
| Hackle: | Quail breast feather or starling breast feather or other black, soft barbed feather |
1. Crimp barb.
2. Attach thread 1/3rd back on shank.
3. Wrap sparse amount of shuck Antron to top of shank, back to above hook barb. Cut tail to shank length.
4. Lay both strands Krystal Flash on top of shank, butt ends 1/3rd back on shank, tie in place with forward wrap.
5. Dub a thin tapered body with the black Antron up to 1/4 back on shank.
6. Half-hitch thread and hang bobbin off hook-eye side of vise.
7. Attach hemostats to Krystal Flash, spin to twist tightly, wrap forward in close wraps, tie off and cut excess.
8. Dub thorax with olive Antron larger than the body, leaving one eye length behind the hook eye.
9. Attaching feather: Select one feather with barbs about shank length. Hold the tip and stroke the barbs toward the stem. Lay a division between barbs on top of hook shank where thread hangs, with the dark side (outside) facing upward. (see diagram) Tie in place, cut excess.
10. Wrapping feather: Holding stem upright, stroke barbs to rear. Carefully make one wrap of feather around shank. Repeat one more time. Tie off behind hook eye and cut excess.
11. Hold barbs backward and wrap a thread head forcing barbs to the rear. Tie off, cut thread, and finish head.