Salmon/Steelhead · Streamer · Steelhead · Advanced · 1 version
Tyer Recipe
Hook 2.5" aluminium tube, 3/32" OD, with 3/4" of 1/8" copper tube glued on the front as a nose weight
Thread Bright red 3/0 preferred (bulk builds faster)
Materials
Mylar tinsel, gold/silver Silver side showing (One length for the tag)
Oval tinsel, large Silver oval tinsel (One length for the rib)
Uni-Yarn Purple uni yarn (One length for the body (bobbin-mounted for easy handling))
UV ice dubbing Fuchsia uv ice dubbing (A small dubbing ball)
Marabou Purple marabou (One feather)
Marabou Black marabou (One smaller feather)
Crystal Flash Purple flash fibres (6-10 strands)
Bucktail Black bucktail (A modest bunch for the wing)
How to tie it
Glue the 3/4" copper tube onto the front of the aluminium tube as a nose weight, mount the tube and start the red thread at the rear.
Tie the mylar tag in on top of the tube at the front end of the tie-in area and wrap the tag deliberately unevenly at the very rear. The ridges you create help the junction tubing grip.
Tie in the oval silver rib on top, then the purple yarn on top, keeping every butt end on top of the tube so the fly stays upright.
Wrap the yarn forward in closely spaced turns, keeping tension high over the rear bump and easing off as you come off it, and take it right up to the copper tube.
Counter-wrap the oval rib forward over the body and tie it off, again keeping the tag ends on top.
Dub a small ball of fuchsia UV ice dubbing at the front of the body. Keep it well forward, because starting it too far back makes the head too long.
Tie the purple marabou in by the tip, fold the tip back, stroke the fibres rearward and wind one full collar, picking any trapped fibres free as you go.
Tie the smaller black marabou in by the tip and wind a second collar in front of it, stroking the barbs back with damp (not licked) fingers; leave the tip stubs in. There is no need to cut them.
Find the midpoint of 6-10 strands of purple Crystal Flash and tie them in at the back of the head area, then fold them together and bind them down so there is no bump mid-head.
Measure a bunch of black bucktail to the same length as the flash, short enough that only a little material extends past where the trailing hook point will sit. Pinch-loop it on top and taper the butts down; add a few loose wraps at the rear to control the wing.
Build a big, bulky, smoothly sloping bright red head, whip finish and cement.