Peacock herl (head) Natural peacock herl (Two strands, three wraps)
How to tie it
Pinch the barb on a size 14 curved-shank hook and lay a black 70-denier thread base back around the start of the bend.
Tie in a small bunch of white Antron on top at the bend as the shuck, cut blunt at both ends, and bind the butts down. Keep it from spinning around the shank.
Tie in two separated strands of orange wool yarn at the rear, keeping them on top, and park the thread at the 70% point with three open wraps.
Wrap the yarn forward as a body, either corded up with a clockwise spin or spun counterclockwise to lie flat, up to the parked thread; unwind the three wraps and tie the yarn off with two wraps, then trim.
Fold the Antron shuck forward over the top of the body as a loose wing case (do not pull it tight, the intent is a slightly loose, lumpy shuck) and tie it off at the front, then trim and take a few wraps back over the stub.
Tie in four wood duck flank fibers at the front of the shuck as antennae, angled up and forward; roll them between wet fingers first to separate them.
Smooth the front of the shank, then tie in two strands of peacock herl with a pinch wrap and trim the butts rather than breaking them.
Leave the thread slightly behind and wrap the herl forward three turns for a small head, pushing the thread forward with each wrap so the herl does not splay; tie it off with two wraps and break off the excess.
Whip finish three or four turns, then tidy up: trim any shaggy fibers and singe off stray fuzz in front of the head with a thread burner if you have one.
Finish with a little varnish or UV resin on the head.