Salmon/Steelhead · Salmon · Steelhead · Advanced · 1 version
Classic Recipe
Hook salmon fly single, up-eye black, 1-3/0
Thread black 8/0
Materials
Tag Fine gold tinsel (1)
Tail Golden pheasant topping and tippet strands (1)
Butt Black ostrich herl (1)
Body rear half Embossed silver tinsel (1)
Joint Magenta hackle (1)
Body front half Oval gold tinsel (1)
Throat Magenta then pale blue hackle (1 each)
Wing Golden pheasant tippets back-to-back; married yellow, blue and scarlet swan with golden pheasant tail over (1 set)
Sides Jungle cock (2)
Topping Golden pheasant crests (2-3)
Horns Blue and scarlet macaw (optional) (2)
How to tie it
Wind a fine gold tinsel tag above the hook point and tie in a golden pheasant topping tail with a few tippet strands over it; hide the tie-in with a black ostrich herl butt.
Cover the rear half of the shank with embossed silver tinsel in touching turns.
At the midpoint wind 2 turns of magenta hackle as a joint veiling, this splash of hot pink between the two tinsels is what gives the fly its 'dawn' glow.
Cover the front half with oval gold tinsel in touching turns, stopping a head-space short of the eye.
At the throat wind magenta hackle followed by pale blue hackle, 2 turns each, and stroke the fibers down.
Wing with a pair of golden pheasant tippets back-to-back, then roof them with married strands of yellow, blue and scarlet swan plus golden pheasant tail.
Add jungle cock sides, 2-3 golden pheasant toppings over the top, optional macaw horns, then build a small black head, whip finish and varnish.