Here's a few steps from a Hotwire variation with, hopefully, a better alternative to the fragile wingcase


take a whole flank feather




coat with Sally and pull it to shape; the center stem + glue should make it a lot more durable.






start the fly like the Flick version, but substitute wire for the quill body; I used ginger (Brassie) and copper (x-fine) wrapped side-by-side




after a few wraps, pull the shellback forward and secure with the copper wire




repeat up the body to the thorax






helicopter the wire and then finish the fly, same as the Flick




Regards,
Scott