Ewing Fly Tying Hackle Now in Stock!

We now have Ewing fly tying hackle in stock at J.Stockard Fly Fishing!

We have a variety of beautiful capes, feathers, and patches from Ewing that are sure to make beautiful flies. Many colors are available of each different product, so be sure to check them out.

Some of the products include Dry Fly Capes, Half Capes, Saddles and Half Saddles, Hen Capes and Saddles. Ewing hackle is great for streamers, dry flies, and many other uses.

Browse our catalog of Ewing Hackle, now available on our website!

Not sure what to do with your Ewing Hackle? Try tying the Soft Hackle Streamer described in the post from Mike Cline, originally posted in 2021, now republished below!

Guest Blogger: Mike Cline, Bozeman, Montana 

What is known as the Soft Hackle Streamer is a Jack Gartside creation of some 25 years ago.  A prominent fly tyer and innovator, Gartside created the traditional Gartside Soft Hackle Streamer as a simple concoction of marabou and mallard flank feathers. The original uses a solid colored marabou with a few turns of barred mallard flank to add some mottling to the front of the fly. A few strands of tinsel were added for some flash. Of course it is the seductive nature of soft hackle type feathers that make this style of fly a productive streamer. Even using the Gartside formula, it can be tied with just about any color combination you want. What’s different today are some newer materials that adapt brilliantly to the Soft Hackle Streamer design. 

1. With the hook in the vise add weight if desired and create a thread base.
2. With thread at the hook bend, tie in a large hen hackle by the tip.
3. Tie in several strands of Polarflash and wind forward to create a flashy body. Stop the body at about 2/3rds of the hook shank.
4. Wind the hen hackle forward with even spacing and tie off at the end of the body.
5. Trim a marabou feather taking about 2/3rds of the main stem. You want the fluffiest and finer strands of marabou all the way to the tip of the feather.
6. Tie in the marabou by the butt of the stem and wind forward in even wraps folding back the marabou fibers after each turn. Leave about a 3/16” gap between the marabou wing and the hook eye.
7. Build up a thread head to at least a diameter of 3/32” (for a #3 Fish Mask, use 1/8” if using #4 Fish Mask). Secure the thread with a couple of double half hitches or whip finish and cut the thread.
8. Coat the head sparingly with some thick UV cured resin, slide the fish mask over the thread wraps and cure. Ensure the hook eye is resin free before curing.
9. Add the appropriate sized eyes and seal with thin UV cured resin. Apply a thin coat of head cement over the fish mask and eyes.