A simple, deadly soft hackle with a built-in strike trigger. The Red Ass Soft Hackle’s bright red tag, peacock herl body, and pulsing partridge hackle suggest an emerging caddis or mayfly—and that little red “hot spot” turns curious follows into eats on the swing.
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When it excels: Spring through fall before/during/after hatches; riffle tails, seams, and glides; great as a searching fly when fish won’t look up
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Why it works: Red tag is a proven trigger; peacock herl adds lifelike shimmer; soft hackle breathes and opens on the swing and lift like a real emerger
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Pack size: 3 flies
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Targets: Trout (rainbow, brown, brook); bonus takes from panfish in stillwaters
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Ready to fish: Durable, sparse tie with consistent proportions for natural presentations
How to fish it
Cast down-and-across and let it swing slowly through the seam; add a gentle lift at the hang-down to trigger grabs. Dead-drift it as a dropper under a dry or indicator, or run two soft hackles 18–24" apart to cover different lanes. Use 4–5X in riffles and step down to 5–6X in slicks.
Care
Rinse after use and air-dry before boxing to prevent hook corrosion. Pinch back hackle fibers if they matt after a fish.
Satisfaction
30-day returns/exchanges.