Partridge and Orange

The Partridge and Orange is a very straightforward soft hackle pattern. It is a great pattern for beginners just learning to tie a soft hackle.
Start with a scud hook in the vise and start the hot orange thread two hook eye lengths behind the eye. Flatten the thread by spinning the bobbin counterclockwise, and take touching wraps deep into the hook bend. Once there, return the thread back to the initial tie in point.
Use a small amount of orange Superfine dubbing to create a small ball of dubbing at the initial tie in point. This will help hold the soft hackle back. Take a Hungarian Partridge feather by its tip and stroke an even number of fibers on each side of the stem backward. With the tip separated and exposed, cut it leaving a small triangle of the tip remaining. This will be the tie in point. Secure the feather by its tip, and leave the thread at the tie in point.
Use hackle pliers to grasp the stem of the feather. Stoke the feather's fibers back towards the hook bend, and take touching wraps moving towards the hook eye. You should only get two to three wraps before reaching the bare stem. Continue stroking the fibers back with each wrap. Secure the stem, remove the waste, and whip finish.