Bugs

“It’s a fabulously ugly fly, cheap and quick to make, and very effective. … The Hare’s Ear Soft Hackle passes for a caddis pupa … but is in fact an all-purpose “bug” in the sense that a five-year-old kid would use that word. I think same way: both are capable of intense, single-minded observation, but they see the essence of a thing rather than the details.”

       John Gierach, Trout Bum (1986)

Originally Partridge feather is used for hackle, in 1986 Gierach recommends cheaper Indian Hen necks, in 2007 I use genetic Whiting's Brahma Hen Soft Hackle: simply because hackle stems are so strong that they don’t break all the time.

From Fly-patterns

A pile of buggy flies.
Some of them will soon be shipped to a friend in Alaska.