Senyo’s Aqua Veil and Hareline Polar Chenille: flashy hackles for Steelhead and Salmon Flies

Some of my steelhead and salmon flies incorporate flash only in the wing—but there are many patterns I craft that incorporate additional flash by winding on what I refer to as “flash hackles.”

Two products that I often reach for at the fly bench are Senyo’s Aqua Veil, and Hareline UV Polar Chenille.

One option for "flash hackles" is Senyo's Aqua Veil, with four colors pictured here.

One option for “flash hackles” is Senyo’s Aqua Veil, with four colors pictured here.

 

Mountain Berry and Sky colors of Senyo's Aqua Veil out of their package.

Mountain Blueberry and Sky colors of Senyo’s Aqua Veil out of their package.

Three colors of Hareline UV Polar Flash -- another excellent option for creating "flash hackles on steelhead and salmon flies.

Three colors of Hareline UV Polar Chenille — another excellent option for creating “flash hackles on steelhead and salmon flies.

Silver and Gold UV Polar Chenille pictured out of their packages.

Silver and Gold UV Polar Chenille pictured out of their packages.

Senyo's Aqua Veil (upper) and Hareline UV Polar Chenille (lower) shown in comparison.  The strands on both products are roughly 1.25" long.

Senyo’s Aqua Veil (upper) and Hareline UV Polar Chenille (lower) shown in comparison. The strands on both products are roughly 1.25″ long.

Tying tips: I am prone to twisting both of these materials just as you would spin a dubbing loop — before winding the material around my tube or shank. Spinning the strand causes the fibers to stick out from all sides of the core instead of coming out on one side only. I have difficulty coaxing the un-twisted material to behave as I wind it on. I seem to have better consistency when I twist the material first and then wind it on. Twisting is easily accomplished by clamping in my hackle pliers and spinning the pliers.

Use in composite dubbing loops: you can cut these fibers off the  core material and incorporate them in your composite dubbing to craft sparkle and shine in your bodies.

I hope these ideas help. As always, you may shoot an email to the fly shop and I or someone on our staff will try to help answer your tying questions.

Jay Nicholas – winter season 2016/17

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