Body Orange silk, well waxed (full shank, very slim)
Hackle A feather from the darkest part of a brown owl's wing (substitute: lightly speckled tan/brown hen) (1, sparse)
Head Peacock herl (1-2 turns)
How to tie it
Wax a length of orange silk and wind a very slim body along the shank. Needle flies are extremely slender, so keep it thin.
Tie in a soft brown owl substitute hackle (lightly speckled tan/brown hen) by the tip and take just one or two turns for a sparse, mobile collar.
Wind one or two turns of peacock herl in front of the hackle to form the small dark head. The herl head is the signature finish of the North Country needle flies.
Whip finish behind the herl and add a touch of cement.