Fly Tying Inventory
Signal Light
Originally designed by Randall Kaufmann, the Signal Light is a classic Northwest steelhead wet fly named for the railroad signal lights along Oregon's Deschutes River. Its three-section body of orange, chartreuse, and black creates a bold, visible profile that excels for summer steelhead. Clean transitions between body sections and a sparse silhouette are key to this effective pattern.
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Materials
Salmon/steelhead hook, sizes 6-10 (Mustad 36890 or similar)
Black 6/0 or 8/0
Medium silver oval tinsel
Orange chenille, rear quarter of body
Chartreuse or yellow chenille, next quarter of body
Black chenille or black dubbing, front half of body
Black hen or soft hackle, 2-3 wraps as collar
Black Krystal Flash, 5-8 strands
Black calf tail, sparse
How to Tie the Signal Light
- 1
Step 1
Attach black thread at the rear of the hook shank. Tie in a length of silver oval tinsel for the rib and let it trail back.
- 2
Step 2
Tie in orange chenille and wrap forward for about one quarter of the body length. Secure and trim.
- 3
Step 3
Tie in chartreuse or yellow chenille and wrap forward for the next quarter. Secure and trim.
- 4
Step 4
Tie in black chenille or apply black dubbing for the remaining front half of the body. Build a slightly thicker front section but avoid bulk. Secure and trim.
Keep transitions between colors clean and tight for the best-looking fly.
- 5
Step 5
Wind the silver tinsel rib forward in evenly spaced turns from rear to front. Secure and trim.
- 6
Step 6
Tie in a black soft hackle at the front. Make 2-3 wraps as a collar, stroking fibers rearward. Secure and trim.
- 7
Step 7
Tie in 5-8 strands of black Krystal Flash on top extending slightly past the hook bend.
- 8
Step 8
On top of the flash, tie in a sparse bunch of black calf tail extending past the bend. Build a neat thread head, whip finish, and apply head cement.
Watch Tying Tutorial
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zeg_na87iYI
Credit: Randall Kaufmann