- 1). Secure the hook in the vise and wrap the shank in a base of black thread, from the eye up to just before the barb.
- 2). With the black thread up near the barb, tie in a small clump of yellow hackles to create a tail; make the tail equal in length to or slightly longer than the gap of the hook. Wrap the black thread two or three times around the end of the hackles to secure them to the hook.
- 3). In the same spot, use the black thread to secure a piece of silver tinsel, which will be used for the body ribbing, and then tie in the black floss for the body. Once both components are tied in, wrap the black thread forward to just behind the hook's eye.
- 4). Wrap the black floss forward toward the eye. Be sure to wrap the floss evenly so that the fly's body is smooth and uniform. Secure the floss in place with two or three wraps of the black thread. Cut off the excess floss.
- 5). Wrap the tinsel forward toward the eye to form the ribbing. Space each tinsel loop equally to give the body a natural appearance. Secure the end of the tinsel with two or three wraps of the black thread. Cut off the excess tinsel.
- 6). Select a small section (¼ to ½ inch, depending on hook's length) of a yellow hen neck feather to create a beard hackle. Bend the feather backwards so the tips even up and trim them off. Using the black thread, tie in this clump of fibers on the bottom of the hook shank, so that they extend back about ¼ of the hook's length or less. Clip off any excess fibers in front of the thread wraps.
- 7). Select four evenly matched white neck or saddle feathers. Two feathers will form each wing. Pair them up, then hold the four together, making sure they are even at the tips. Hold the feathers next to the hook to size the wings; they should extend to the tip of the tail. Clip the butt ends of the feathers just behind the hook's eye, then trim away a small number of barbs to expose the feather shafts. Tie the four feathers on to the top of the hook, securing the butt ends with two or three wraps of black thread. Add several more tight wraps as you adjust the feathers' position to ensure that the wings are extending straight back over the top of the shank.
- 8). Select two small jungle cock feathers for the cheeks. Cut them so they will extend from the eye to about ¼ or ½ of the hook's length. Peel off the fibers at the butt ends to form clean shafts and tie one feather on each side of the hook just behind the eye. Finish with enough wraps of the black thread to form a tapered head.
- 9). Tie off the black thread with a whip finish knot and apply a few coats of head cement to finish the fly.
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