Purple Steelhead
Fly Name | |
Hook | 8-2/0 |
Thread | red |
Wings | purple marabou |
Tails | none |
Body | red thread |
Hackle | orange guinea |
![Purple Steelhead](../images/fteh_0001_0001_0_img0614.jpg)
![Purple Steelhead](../images/fteh_0001_0001_0_img0615.jpg)
Tie in thread at forward end of body with 3 to 5 tight wraps. Wrap thread to the base of the tail. Select marabou and position it with tip ends rearward. Wrap with 2 loose windings followed up with 3 to 5 tight windings. After the loose wraps the marabou can be repositioned or its length can be adjusted.
![Purple Steelhead](../images/fteh_0001_0001_0_img0616.jpg)
Cut away base of marabou. Select another bunch of marabou and tie it in forward of the first bunch. Secure with 3 to 5 tight windings. Trim marabou base.
![Purple Steelhead](../images/fteh_0001_0001_0_img0617.jpg)
Repeat by tying in another marabou bunch forward to the last bunch. Trim off its base. Make sure that all marabou tips are even in height.
![Purple Steelhead](../images/fteh_0001_0001_0_img0618.jpg)
Repeat this same process until 4 bunches of marabou is in place.
![Purple Steelhead](../images/fteh_0001_0001_0_img0619.jpg)
Select hackle for size and stiffness. Expose tip by gently stroking back fibers. Tie in by base with two loose winds followed up with 3 to 5 tight winds. Convex side of hackle faces the fly's body. Evenly wrap hackle 2 or 3 turns. Tie off hackle with 3 to 5 tight thread wraps. Either trim away excess or pull backward and break stem off at windings.
![Purple Steelhead](../images/fteh_0001_0001_0_img0620.jpg)
Whip finish head with 4 to 8 turns. Pull tag end firmly and cut off excess thread. Place a drop of head cement on knot and allow it to penetrate both the thread base and hackle stems.
![Purple Steelhead](../images/fteh_0001_0001_0_img0621.jpg)
![Purple Steelhead](../images/fteh_0001_0001_0_img0622.jpg)
I prefer to swing this fly through the slower current sections in which steelhead frequent. The marabou is easily activated by the slightest movement. It is a good producer when the water is stained or the light intensity is low.
![](/images/fteh_0001_0001_0_img0001_resized.jpg)
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