Bodkin / Patterns

Dawson

Salmon/Steelhead · Salmon · Steelhead · Intermediate · 1 version

Classic Recipe

  • Hook Blind-eye or up-eye classic salmon fly hook, 1/0-4
  • Thread Black 8/0

Materials

  • Tag Silver twist and yellow silk (as needed)
  • Tail Golden pheasant topping and chatterer (1 + 1)
  • Butt Black herl (few turns)
  • Body Two equal sections of silver tinsel, butted at the centre with Indian crow and black herl (full shank)
  • Rib Oval silver tinsel (5-6 turns)
  • Throat Indian crow (as at centre) and light blue hackle (1 collar)
  • Wing Light mottled turkey, yellow macaw, golden pheasant tail, teal, powdered blue macaw, ibis, dark mottled turkey, grey mallard, mallard and a topping (1 married pair)
  • Horns Blue macaw (1 per side)
  • Head Black herl (few turns)

How to tie it

  1. Wrap a tag of silver twist and yellow silk over the barb, then tie in a golden pheasant topping with chatterer for the tail. Form a black herl butt.
  2. Cover the rear half of the shank with silver tinsel, butt the centre with Indian crow above and below and a turn of black herl, then continue the front half in silver tinsel. Rib both halves with oval silver tinsel.
  3. At the throat repeat the Indian crow veiling and wind a light blue hackle as a beard.
  4. Build the mixed married wing from the listed strands with a topping over all.
  5. Add blue macaw horns, form a small black herl head and whip finish.

Tying videos

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