Salmon/Steelhead · Salmon · Steelhead · Advanced · 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 light blue silk (as needed)
Tail Golden pheasant topping (1)
Butt Black ostrich herl (few turns)
Body Claret silk then dark yellow silk (as needed)
Rib Broad silver tinsel (5-6 turns)
Hackle Claret hackle over the claret portion (1)
Throat Jay (1 collar)
Wing Two golden pheasant tippet feathers back to back, capped with golden pheasant tail, bustard, peacock wing, red macaw, blue macaw and a topping (1 pair + strands)
Sides Narrow summer duck (wood duck) (1 per side)
Horns Blue macaw (1 per side)
Head Black herl (few turns)
How to tie it
Lay a tag of silver twist and light blue silk over the barb, then tie in a single golden pheasant topping for the tail. Follow with a butt of black ostrich herl.
Wind four turns of claret silk, then continue the body with dark yellow silk to just short of the head. Rib with broad silver tinsel in evenly spaced turns.
Wind a claret hackle over the claret portion of the body only, following the rib, and stroke the fibres back.
At the throat wind a jay hackle as a blue beard and sweep the fibres down.
Tie two golden pheasant tippet feathers back to back for the wing, then cap with married strands of golden pheasant tail, bustard, peacock wing, red and blue macaw, and set a topping over all.
Add narrow summer duck sides, blue macaw horns, a small black herl head, and whip finish.