The Soldier Palmer Hackled Wet Fly is an excellent, bright, heavily hackled traditional pattern for searching rivers and stillwaters. Its red body and palmered hackle create colour, movement and a strong silhouette rather than copying one natural insect.
Use it in a wet-fly team, through a stillwater ripple or swung across river pools. Vary retrieve speed, but include pauses that allow the hackle to breathe and the fly to settle. The mobile dressing gives it fish-catching presence throughout the drift.