Body hackle Grey heron substitute, from the tail (1)
Throat Golden pheasant red breast feather (1-2 turns)
Wing Bronze mallard slips (2)
How to tie it
Tie in a sparse tail of golden pheasant red breast fibers.
Tie in all three ribs and the heron-substitute hackle by its tip at the bend, then dub a thin, ropey body of the mixed brown-olive wool to the 80% mark. Spey bodies are meant to be slim.
Wind the flat gold rib forward in 4-5 open turns, followed by the oval ribs in the classic Spey spacing.
Palmer the long hackle forward along the flat tinsel, then counter-wrap one oval rib through it to lock the fragile stem.
Wind 1-2 turns of golden pheasant red breast as a throat.
Set two bronze mallard slips low and tent-like over the body (the humped, low wing is the Spey signature) form a small head and whip finish.