Orange Heron

Materials

How to Tie the Orange Heron

1. 1

   Step 1

   Secure the Spey hook in the vise and start red thread near the bend. Wrap a short flat silver tinsel tag at the rear.

2. 2

   Step 2

   Tie in both flat and oval silver tinsel for ribbing, running them along the shank.

3. 3

   Step 3

   Build the rear body half with hot orange floss, wrapping smoothly to the midpoint of the shank.

4. 4

   Step 4

   Dub the front half of the body with hot orange seal fur, keeping it slim but slightly fuller than the floss section.

   Authentic seal fur creates translucent fibers that glow in the water—SLF is a good substitute.

5. 5

   Step 5

   Tie in a gray heron or blue-eared pheasant feather by the tip. Palmer it forward in open, even turns over the body.

6. 6

   Step 6

   Counter-wrap the flat tinsel forward through the hackle, then the oval tinsel in the opposite direction for durability.

7. 7

   Step 7

   Add 2-3 turns of teal or widgeon flank feather as a throat hackle.

8. 8

   Step 8

   Prepare bronze mallard strips and tie them in low, Spey-style, extending just past the hook bend. Build a neat thread head, whip finish, and apply head cement.