Start cream 70-denier thread one eye-length behind the eye, take a few wraps rearward, snip the tag, and continue wrapping back to about the hook point.
A single Wood-duck flank feather makes both tail and wing. Strip the lower uneven fibers, pull the rest down to isolate about ten fibers at the tip, and snip that tip off. Measure it one shank length, transfer the measurement back to the start of the bend, and bind the fibers to the top of the shank all the way back to the bend, then wrap forward to halfway up the shank. Stash the rest of the feather for the wing.
Pull a clump of Cream rabbit-fur dubbing and build a thin noodle on the thread. Start wrapping so the dubbing begins right at the base of the tail and advance forward to form a nicely tapered body, ending two eye-lengths behind the eye. Trim any wonky fibers close.
Pluck one White Soft Hackle Saddle feather with fibers about a shank length long and strip the lower fuzz. Pull the fibers down from the very tip and snip the tip off to form a small triangular tie-in anchor. With the outside of the feather facing you, lay the anchor against the near side of the hook and bind it in, leaving the thread just behind the eye.
Grip the stem with hackle pliers and draw it through your fingertips to fold the fibers back on both sides of the stem. Take three to four touching turns to form the collar, anchor the stem with thread, and snip the excess. Sweep the hackle rearward and take a few wraps to hold the fibers back.
Retrieve the rest of the wood duck feather. Hold the stem in your right hand and twist and pull the fibers with your left so they mash together into a slightly curved bunch. Lay it on top so the tips extend about halfway down the tail, secure it with thread, then lift the butt and snip it as close as you can without cutting the thread.
Cover the butt with wraps and build a small head; the shorter the head, the better the fly. Do a four or five turn whip finish, seat the knot, snip the thread, and add a small drop of head cement to the wraps.