Spey Flies
My second love behind the full dressed featherwing flies would have to be the old Scottish Spey & Dee patterns.
The old ghillies used barnyard materials & the furs & feathers obtained while hunting as a matter of economy. While it's no longer legal to use heron, rail, kite, & plumage from other protected species, we have excellent substitutes available. Wild turkey, pheasants, & other game birds have feather markings similar to the protected species, & are very effective on fishing flies. Modern patterns keep the style & character of the Spey/Dee fly, while using "hot" colors that are deadly on steelhead.

The Winters Hope
With apologies to Bill McMillan
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Hook: Any salmon/steelhead type Sample is an Alec Jackson # 1 1/2
Thread/head: Wine colored 8/0 or 12/0 Small, tapered head
Tag: Bright yellow floss From barb to point
Tail: G. P. crest A "topping" about 1- 1 1/2 hook gaps long
Butt: Yellow ostrich herl 2 turns over hook point to hide tie-offs
Body: Bright blue floss Smooth & tapered
Ribs: Medium oval silver tinsel 5 turns evenly spaced; tie off UNDER shank
Hackle: Kingfisher blue schlappen Wound tight behind the ribs, from 2nd turn
Throat: Hot purple mallard flank 2 turns only, wound "doubled"
Wing: Narrow strips of hot orange goose or turkey Set flat & tentlike

Watch for the next project fly: The Polar Shrimp Spey

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