Floating Soft Hackle

Hook: Any dry-fly hook, sizes 16 to 12.
The author uses both standard-length and long-shank hooks for this pattern.
Thread: Tan, brown, or black 6/0 (140 denier).
Body: Any soft, high-density foam. The kick boards used by youngsters when playing in the pool are excellent for this pattern.
Body covering: Five-minute epoxy and fingernail polish.
Hackle: Your choice of any soft pheasant or partridge hackle.