Bodkin / Patterns

Hairy Mary

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

Classic Recipe

  • Hook salmon single or double (low-water for summer), 4-12
  • Thread black 8/0

Materials

  • Tag Fine oval gold tinsel (3-4 turns)
  • Tail Golden pheasant crest (1)
  • Body Black floss (1 strand)
  • Rib Oval gold tinsel (1 length)
  • Hackle Kingfisher-blue cock hackle (1)
  • Wing Brown bucktail or squirrel tail (sparse bunch)

How to tie it

  1. Wind a tag of 3-4 turns of fine oval gold tinsel above the hook point.
  2. Tie in a golden pheasant crest tail, curving upward, one gape length long.
  3. Tie in the oval gold rib, then wrap a slim black floss body to the 80% mark and rib it with 5 evenly spaced turns.
  4. Tie in the blue hackle and take 2-3 turns as a beard-style collar, drawing the fibers down and back below the shank.
  5. Tie a sparse brown bucktail or squirrel wing on top, extending to the end of the tail. Sparse hair lets light through, the trait that separates a good hairwing from a mop.
  6. Form a small black head, whip finish, and varnish.

Tying videos

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