Salmon/Steelhead · Steelhead · Salmon · Intermediate · 1 version
Classic Recipe
Hook up-eye low-water salmon iron, 1-4
Thread red 8/0
Materials
Tag Flat silver tinsel (3 turns)
Rib Oval Silver Tinsel (1 length)
Body Rear 2/3 hot orange floss, front 1/3 hot orange goat or seal (1 each)
Body hackle Yellow saddle, long and webby (1)
Throat Black heron substitute (blue-eared pheasant/schlappen) (1)
Wing Hot orange hackle tips (4)
How to tie it
Wind a short flat silver tag above the point and tie in the oval rib.
Wrap the rear two-thirds of the body in smooth hot orange floss, then dub the front third with hot orange goat.
Tie in the yellow saddle at the front of the floss and palmer it back over the dubbed section as you rib forward, the long webby yellow fibers flare through the orange like embers.
Wind 2 turns of the black heron substitute as a throat, fibers trailing well past the bend.
Set four hot orange hackle tips on top in a tented formation, low over the body, reaching the bend. Tenting rather than stacking lets the wing fold and flare on the swing.
Build a small red head, whip finish, and lacquer. The red head is part of the dressing, not decoration.