Salmon/Steelhead · Steelhead · Salmon · Intermediate · 1 version
Reference Recipe
Hook Standard steelhead / salmon wet-fly hook, 4-8
Materials
Mylar tinsel Green/red (green side showing)
Golden pheasant crest Chartreuse / lime green golden pheasant crest (1 (tail))
Peacock herl (7-8 strands)
Fine wire (1 strand (body reinforcement))
Synthetic polar dubbing Sparkly (collar)
How to tie it
Start the thread just forward of the hook point. Slide a length of green/red Mylar under the shank with the green side against the hook (green showing) and secure it.
Using a down-and-back wrap, run the thread down to about midway between the point and the barb and back up, laying a smooth Mylar tag over the rear of the shank.
Tie in a chartreuse/lime golden pheasant crest as a tail, extending just past the bend, pulling thread tension so it seats on top of the shank; trim the butt.
Align 7-8 strands of peacock herl by the tips and lay a strand of fine wire alongside them; tie both in just ahead of the tail.
Twist the herl and wire together into a durable 'herl rope' with hackle pliers, wind it forward to about two-thirds to three-quarters up the shank, and tie off; trim.
Make a dubbing loop and spin in a sparse, shaggy pinch of sparkly synthetic (polar) dubbing; take a couple of loose wraps for a buggy collar, tie off, and stroke the fibers back.
Take a couple of thread wraps in front to set the collar back, then whip finish and cement.