Cool fly; didn't know he fished anything besides a Grey Fox Variant. A few different methods to attach the shellback, although none of the ones I've seen seem very durable; I'm lazy and chose the path of least resistance.




hook - Mustad 9671 #12
underbody - non-tox wire .025
thread - UTC 70 woodduck
shellback/wing pad - woodduck flank
tail - pheasant tail
abdomen - stripped hackle quill ginger
thorax - rabbit dirty gold
legs - partridge




Part 1


mash barb, wrap front of shank with non-tox







start thread, wrap underbody, taper front and back







tie in a clump of woodduck fibers (hook gap width) by tips, wrap back to point above barb







measure 2 pheasant tail fibers for length (hook shank) and tie in on either side of shellback













strip a ginger neck quill, moisten (microwave 30 seconds in a damp napkin) and tie in; smooth underbody with thread