Salmon/Steelhead · Salmon · Steelhead · Intermediate · 1 version
Classic Recipe
Hook Long-shank salmon/spey hook, 1/0-3
Thread Black 8/0
Materials
Tag Oval silver tinsel (as needed)
Body Dyed blue fox mixed with blue flash dubbing (full shank)
Rib Flat silver tinsel (5-6 turns)
First hackle (body) Ringneck pheasant rump dyed black, palmered (1)
Wing Peacock herl (several strands) (1 bunch)
Front hackle Hen dyed hot orange (1 collar)
Cheek/eyes Jungle cock (1 per side)
How to tie it
Start the thread at the tail point and wind a short tag of oval silver tinsel. Tie in flat silver tinsel to be used as the rib.
Dub a shaggy body of blue-dyed fox mixed with a little blue flash dubbing over the rear two-thirds of the shank, then rib it with the flat silver tinsel in evenly spaced turns.
Tie in a black-dyed pheasant rump feather by the tip and palmer it forward through the front of the body as a long, flowing spey-style hackle; the mobile fibres imitate a swimming baitfish.
Lay several strands of peacock herl over the top as a wing, extending to about the hook bend.
Wind a hot-orange hen hackle at the front as a soft throat/collar and sweep it back.
Set a jungle cock nail on each side as an eye, build a neat head and whip finish.