We at steelheadheaven have been testing products on the market to give us that extra advantage to hooking into that steelhead that is not all that interested and turn him into raging bull. The fly attached is one that Archie has been making for some time now and has fine tuned it. He was so kind as to teach me the proper way to tie this fly and the recipe for success, which I am going to share with you today. It starts with a tail of rabbit fur(black or purple). Tied onto a size 1/0 Mustad Salmon Hook. The rib is a 5gr. copper wire. I then tie in a palmered hackle from an old cape of soft Chinese Black, after stripping the barbules away from one side (it makes the fly look more sparse when finished and helps the fly sink). Then comes the key to the fly. As Arch is set that I learn how to dub flys that is our next step. I use Lite-Brite Fire Fox and Dub the body to give it a flashy green. Then the palmered hackle and finally the rib. For the head I dub it with orange or red seal fur and finally use that magical tool of a whip finisher, that is a pain to use but when you get it mastered it is the stuff and your head is secure. Arch tells me that it took him years to develop this fly and a week to teach me. Looks like I owe him a cold one!
See you on the river,
ArchieSteelheadheaven Guide Services
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