Paul's April 2011 Fly of the Month

Sulfur Soft Hackle

Hook:  Size 14 to 18 dry fly hook.  Tying thread:   Yellow or orange.

Tail:   Light dun hen hackle fibers.

Abdomen:  Yellow rabbit dubbing such as Hare’s ear plus.
Rib:   Fine gold wire.

Thorax:  Orange Hare’s ear plus.

Hackle:  Light dun hen hackle.

Sulfur hatches (Ephemerella dorothia and smaller Epeorus vitreus) are major hatches on the Housatonic and Farmington Rivers.  A lot of anglers don’t even bother to fish wet flies but I find them a very effective way to catch trout.  When fishing the fly, try presenting it so that it starts to rise just as it reaches a good lie – where you believe the fish to be holding (a technique known as the Leisenring lift).   Another technique I use when fishing wet flies is to fish them directly downstream (straight drift technique).   You’ll be amazed at how many fish will take your wet fly when it’s dancing down stream from you on or near the surface of the water.  Occasionally give your line a little twitch, or let some additional line out.

Sometimes it’s hard to identify what stage the insect is in when trout take them.  Or they can be taking them at different stages and at random.  All the more reason to fish two (2) flies.  I love fishing two flies during a sulfur hatch.  I’ll fish a sulfur dry or floating emerger and trail the sulfur soft hackle 8 to 12 inches behind it.  The first fly even acts as a strike indicator for the soft hackle.

I love the fact that this pattern has orange in it.  All the sulfur patterns that I have with orange out produce the ones that don’t.

If you have any questions about this fly or would like to submit a pattern of the month I can be reached at 203 305-3850 or e-mail me at pdinice@frontier.com .  This pattern can also be viewed at www.hffa.net .