Bodkin / Patterns

Ballou Special

Streamer · Trout · Salmon · Intermediate · 1 version

Classic Recipe

  • Hook 6x streamer, 4-8
  • Thread Black 6/0

Materials

  • Tail Golden pheasant crest (curved down)
  • Body Flat silver tinsel (smooth)
  • Wing White marabou, full (over red bucktail sliver)
  • Topping Peacock herl (5-6 strands)
  • Cheeks Jungle cock (optional)

How to tie it

  1. Start black thread and run a base to the bend.
  2. Tie in a golden pheasant crest feather as a tail, curving downward.
  3. Catch in flat silver tinsel and wrap a smooth body forward to just behind the eye, then tie off.
  4. Tie in a thin sliver of red bucktail over the body as an underwing, reaching to the bend.
  5. Over that, tie in a full white marabou wing extending a shank length past the bend. Keep it sparse enough to pulse.
  6. Top the wing with 5-6 peacock herl strands the same length as the wing.
  7. Add jungle cock cheeks if using, build a neat head, whip finish, and cement.

Tying videos

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