Mike,
I've used olive or tan or other color fibers for the tail and throat, and various colors of chenille and dubbing for the body. I've also tried different colors of mallard flank for the wing, but the most effective has always been Marv Taylor's "blonde" version:
Hook: Mustad 9672, or 3XL equivalent. Sizes 6 - 14.
Thread: Black, 6/0 pre-waxed.
Tail: 10 to 15 orange saddle hackle fibers, body length.
Body: Yellow and dark olive variegated chenille, sizes medium or small.
Ribbing: Gold 16/18 mylar tinsel 4 or 5 wraps.
Beard: 10 to 15 orange saddle hackle fibers, reaching to hook point.
Wing: Woodduck dyed mallard flank feather, tied flat, reaching to end of tail.
Head: Black.
Adding a bead can help the action and get it a little deeper, but using chenille or a dubbing that soaks up water works just fine.
Scott,
I agree with the mallard being tough to deal with when tied in "reverse" style. I usually tie it in normally and fold the stem back on itself before tying it off and applying the glue.
Joe
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