I use a lot of soft hackles for trout, mostly in places like the Park with freestone streams and not as much on the tailwaters (with the exception of the Hiwassee). When I fish them, my normal presentation is exactly the same as if I was fishing a nymph except that I add a swing at the end of each drift to represent a nymph or pupa riding up through the current on its way to emerge. The main reason I use them is because they catch fish and also because I just enjoy tying them...
