Bodkin / Patterns

Purple Joe

Streamer · Salmon/Steelhead · Trout · Steelhead · Advanced · 1 version

Tyer Recipe

  • Hook Streamer or salmon hook (turned-up looped eye), #4-10 (size 4 shown)
  • Thread Black 140 denier

Materials

  • Saddle hackle fibers Red saddle hackle fibers (Good sized clump for the tail)
  • Floss Orange floss (One long strand, wrapped in two layers)
  • Chenille Purple chenille (Small size, one strand)
  • Badger hackle feathers Badger hackle (Two for the wing plus one for the collar)

How to tie it

  1. Mount the salmon/streamer hook, pinch the barb, and lay a base of heavy black thread back to the start of the bend.
  2. Tie in a good clump of red saddle hackle fibers at the bend for a tail about one hook gap long or slightly shorter; a wrap up under the base of the fibers will keep them from rolling. Trim the butts so they do not lump under the floss.
  3. Build up the rear half of the shank with thread wraps to add a little bulk and taper under the floss body.
  4. Tie in orange floss at the front, wrap it back to the tail and then forward again for at least two layers; floss turns translucent when wet, so go back and forth again if you want more depth. Tie off at the 60% point.
  5. Tie in small purple chenille at the front of the floss and wrap a football-shaped thorax over the front 40%: one layer forward, then a couple of open turns back, then forward again over the top so the middle is fattest. Tie off behind the eye.
  6. Prepare two badger saddle hackles, stripping a few extra fibers from the underside so they will not flare too high, and tie them in on top of the thorax at about a 45 degree angle. Trim the butts.
  7. Tie in another badger hackle by the tip in front of the wing, clip the tip, and take three or four turns for the front collar, following with a couple more if it looks sparse. Tie off and trim.
  8. Stroke the collar fibers back and take thread wraps over the front of them to sweep them rearward along the body.
  9. Build a full streamer head, whip finish, and cement or coat with resin.

Tying videos

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