Hackle Dark sparse hackle, such as starling or jackdaw
How to tie it
Start the Fluorescent orange thread about a third of the way back from the eye, take a few wraps and cut the tag.
Wrap the orange back down the bend as far as you want the body, watching the hook point, then bring it forward in a second layer to the front to build the body.
Tie off the orange with a three or four turn whip finish and cut it. A messy finish does not matter; the next component covers it.
Start the Black thread just in front of the orange body and take it back over the front of the orange, where the herl will sit.
Tie in a couple of strands of Peacock herl and take two or three wraps, leaving the thread a little forward of the herl. Tie off and trim.
Catch a starling feather in right in front of the herl with two or three wraps, not too tight, as the stem is delicate. Fold the feather back and add a few more wraps to lock the stem, then snip off the tip.
Grip the feather with spring-loaded hackle pliers and take two turns. Lock it with a couple of wraps and snip the excess.
Pull all the fibers back, build a small thread head, whip finish and add a drop of head cement.