Hook Alec Jackson spey/steelhead hook, #5 (Alec Jackson scale)
Thread Black 6/0-8/0
Materials
Oval or flat tinsel rib Gold or silver mylar tinsel (One length, also forming the tag)
Golden pheasant crest Natural golden pheasant crest (One or two feathers for the tail)
Chenille Dark purple chenille (Small, for the body)
Saddle hackle Fluorescent purple saddle hackle (One feather, tied in by the butt and folded)
Golden pheasant breast feather Natural undyed golden (One, for the wing)
How to tie it
Start black thread on an Alec Jackson #5 and tie in the rib right above the hook point, wrapping a tag of about a quarter inch of tinsel at the rear.
Tie in a golden pheasant crest feather as the tail at the front edge of the tag. If it splays a little that is fine, it pulls together as soon as it gets wet. Just make sure it is tied in securely.
Tie in small dark purple chenille at the rear and wrap it forward in touching turns, each wrap right in front of the last, to build a neat compact body. Tie off short of the eye.
Wrap the rib forward over the body with light pressure so it beds down INTO the chenille rather than sitting on top of it, then tie it off.
Tie in the fluorescent purple saddle hackle by the butt section of the feather, fold the barbs to one side, and take a few turns as a collar. If barbs splay forward, tie over them and fold them back. Clip the excess.
Select an undyed golden pheasant breast feather (the mottling shows up beautifully when wet) and set it in as a wing on top, taking two or three wraps and pulling it down into position. Remember it shrinks noticeably when wet, so size it accordingly.
Pull the stem back through, bend it over, and tie your head down over the folded stem so the wing can never pull out.
Build a neat round head, whip finish and add head cement.