Purple Strip Wing
Hook: 3/0 Alec Jackson
Tag: Fine silver oval tinsel
Body: In thirds, hot pink silk, purple silk, black seal.
Rib: Silver oval tinsel
Hackle: Purple BEP or sub, starting at the seal
Collar: Purple schlappen
Wing: Purple goose shoulder
Cheeks: Jungle Cock
Head: Wine thread
Start the tying thread two thirds from the bend of the hook. Secure in a length of fine oval
tinsel. Wrap the thread to the bend of the hook, trapping the tinsel as you go. At the bend
take 4 turns with the tinsel and secure. Wrap the thread back two thirds trapping the tag
end of the tinsel as you go. Take your time with the thread wraps. I use primrose thread to
create a light base so the floss colors stay true.
Next, secure in a length of hot pink floss and a length of oval tinsel. Wrap the floss to the
tag trapping the tinsel as you go. Make sure of a good transition at the tag and return the
floss. Secure in the purple floss and wrap it down one third and return and secure. Do not
cut the tag end of the purple floss. ‘This will be used for the dubbing loop.
Secure in the BEP by the tip of the feather. Take the tag end of the purple floss and tie an
overhand knot six or so inches from the tie in point. Split the floss in two equal part and
load with dubbing. Give the loop a spin to trap the dubbing fibers.
Dub the last third of the body. Bring the rib forward making 5 to 6 turns. Follow the rib with
the BEP and secure. A good pinch on the sides, top and bottom will train the barbules to
flow back.
Secure in a schlappen hackle and wrap as a collar.
Clip a strip of goose shoulder from the left side of the feather. This strip will be tied in on
the close side of the hook. Clip a matching strip from the right side of the feather for the
backside of the hook. Place the two strips back to back and hold over the top of the hook to
gauge for length. The two strips should have a natural cupping at the tie in point. Cup the
two strips over the top of the hook. While pinching the wing tightly make a few firm
securing wraps. The bottom most part of the strips should be secured to the sides of the
hook and the bulk of the wing to the top of the hook. I like the wing on this fly to ride just
above the body.
Secure in the cheeks and give the fly a whip. Build up a nice head and finish with cement.
And there you have it. A nice simple but highly effective steelhead fly. Please excuse the
floss work, I only had a half hour to put this one together and I did not take proper care.
Thanks again, good tying and better fishing