Mottled Olive Soft Hackle - Breaking Tradition

The soft hackle purists are going to shake their heads when they see what's in store for the next couple of blog pages.  I am all about  tradition—trust me I get it—but I also follow "my hook - my rules." 

Breaking tradition, eh?  Sure... The Mottled Olive is tied on a TMC 2499SPBL, 2x short, 3x wide gap hook with a body of thread and a thorax of Ice Dubbing.  The hackle is mottled brown India hen back which replaces expensive partridge.

Materials

Hook:  TMC 2499SPBL or Daiichi 1150, sizes 10-16

Thread:  UTC 70, color of choice (Olive green pictured)

Body:  UTC 70 (Olive green pictured)

Thorax:  Peacock Ice Dubbing

Hackle:  Mottled India hen back

Step 1:

Start thread one eye length behind eye.

Step 1a:

Make flat wraps rearward to the position shown and return thread just forward of the hook point.

Step 2:

Dub a small ball of Ice Dubbing.

Step 2a:

Pick out dubbing sparingly and comb/stroke fibers to the rear of the hook.

Step 3:

Select a hackle with fibers slightly longer than the bend of the hook.  Tie in by the tip with firm flat wraps.

Step 3a:

Bring hackle tip back over the hook shank and make firm securing warps.  Remove waste end.

Step 4:

Make one or two wraps of hackle and whip finish.

Step 4a:

Apply one or two coats of head cement.  If desiring a second coat of head cement, allow the first coat to completely dry.  Finished!

Enjoy!