This dry fly for trout is considered an attractor. It doesn’t look like a specific insect, but resembles many and triggers the fish to feed. It’s a high floater and very easy to see.
HOOK : TMC 100 or other standard dry fly hook. Size 8-16. Crimp barb. Directions are written for a size 14 hook. Adjust materials accordingly.
THREAD: Black or red 6/0 or 8/0. Apply mid shank, then wrap to rear of shank.
TAIL: Golden Pheasant Tippets. Select six tippet fibers. Lay on top of shank, extending hook shank length beyond hanging thread. Tie on with two thread wraps, then one under tail fibers, then wrap thread forward to mid shank. Cut excess.
BODY: Peacock herl. Two strands, three for larger hook. Place tips on top of shank where thread hangs. Thread wraps to rear of shank. Use dubbing tool to form a chenille. Wrap chenille forward, making a generous body up to mid shank. Tie off, cut excess.
WING: Crinkly white calf tail. Cut a bunch of hair from hide. Hold tips and pull out under hair. Stack hair tips. Place on top of hook shank with tips halfway between rear of body and tips of tail. Wrap in place with first wrap around calf tail only then subsequent wraps snuggly around shank. Cut calf tail butts at a slant. Tie down tightly up to eye then back to wing. Apply drop of glue.
HACKLE : Brown saddle. Barbs equaling one and a half times hook gap. Cut 4 to 5 barbs short on each side of stem end. Tie in place with dull side facing you. Wrap thread forward to one eye length behind eye. Wrap hackle about 4 to 6 times forward. Tie off cut excess. Using bodkin, place opening over eye pushing back against hackle tips until they are at right angles to the shank. Make two thread wraps in front of tool. Remove tool.
HEAD: Black thread. Wrap a small thread head. Whip finish, cut thread, apply glue.
Posted on January 15th, 2026