Well HRH, to tell you the truth I wasn't a Boy Scout either, about all I can say is it is a regular crocheted body using wire.

Go to the Fly Tying index and find Knit Picking Mayfly AKA: Extended Braided Tail Mayflies, Text by Denny Conrad, co-owner Conranch Hackles, Photos by David Conrad. There are illustration on how to there.

Instead of thread or cord use small diameter wire, do not let it kink and snug it up gently. When I was finished I put a good layer of Fabric Fusion on top and bottom, of course epoxy would also work.