Mike,
I don't give up easy and you are probably right on the way I saved it. I'll give that a try as well. I might try another experiment, so I hope no one I offended.
Joe,
The hook is wound with gold tinsel back to the hook point and a yellow calf tail under wing over that. The under wing should not extend beyond the bend of the hook. Thus the yellow hue showing through the mallard over wings. It has been working well on the Ausable and in the Driftless Region earlier this year. Give it a try.