Salmon/Steelhead · Steelhead · Salmon · Intermediate · 1 version
Reference Recipe
Hook Front: 4-6 short-shank shank; trailing: Gamakatsu Octopus size 2, stinger-rigged, 2 (trailing) with a size 4 short-shank front hook or shank
Thread Purple 6/0 (140 denier)
Materials
Gelspun backing or braid (junction/connector) Purple arctic fox (6 inch loop)
Two-tone cross-cut rabbit strip Purple/black two tone cross cut rabbit strip (1 strip)
Schlappen Purple saddle hackle (1-2 feathers)
Dumbbell or pseudo eyes Silver bead chain eyes medium (1 pair, 7/32)
Ice Dub Purple ice dub (pinch)
How to tie it
Rig the trailing hook first: pass a doubled loop of gelspun through the eye of the size 2 Octopus, snug it, and lash both tag ends along the front shank so the point rides up. Leave the loop long enough that the trailing hook sits just past the back of the body.
Bind a pair of dumbbell eyes on top of the front shank one eye-length back from the front, figure-8 tight, and jam-lock with cement so the fly rides hook-point-up.
Tie the cross-cut rabbit strip in by its tip at the rear over the connector, then spiral-wrap it forward palmer-style, stroking the fur back on every turn so it doesn't bind. Wrap to just behind the eyes and tie off.
Wet a purple schlappen feather, tie it in by the tip, and take 3-4 wet-fly wraps as a soft collar behind the eyes, sweeping the fibers rearward.
Dub a small ball of purple Ice Dub and figure-8 it around and in front of the dumbbell eyes to build a fuzzy head.
Whip finish behind the eye, snip, and hit the thread and eye lashings with a drop of head cement.