Silver Badger and Claret Grub
Hook - Lightning Strike Scud/Emerger Hook (Size 12)
Underbody - Woolly Nylon (White)
Abdomen - 1/8" Wide Scud Back (Tan)
Dorsal Strip - Sharpie Marker (Claret)
Thread - Veevus 14/0 (Yellow/B13)
Thorax - Two strands of Peacock Herl (Dyed Claret) - reinforced in a thread dubbing loop
Eye Catcher (okay fine, call it a wing) - Two strands of Krystal Flash folded under the hook and tied in.
Hackle - Hen Neck Feather (Silver Badger)
Head - Double three turn whip finish, and then colored with claret Sharpie marker
This fly was inspired by Carl's comments about adding white to a fly, as a way of adding contrast to make a fly more "fishy". I liked the idea and headed off to the vice to play around. Hope you guys like it. I really like the look of the black list at the center of the silver badger hackle. I think this will be another element of contrast, which will hopefully make the fly attractive to steelhead.
I will need to fish this to see how it behaves. The hen neck feather seems a little stiff, so the fly may end up having a very slow sink rate. I may need to add a split shot to my line, to get it down deep. Or drag it behind a beadhead nymph. We'll see...
