Little thick-headed. I think I have now understood what Steven meant on tying the Wonder Wing fly.
After clipping the hackle stem, barbules are swept back in the normal fashion, but longer than the clipped stem in order that the wing material is bound on the hook shank past the bottom of the stem.
I think it does produce wings which are a bit "less stiff" due to the fact that the stem is not part of the tie down.
Steven, let me know if this is the appropriate result:
Thanks