Step 1

Slide a bead onto the hook, secure it in the vise and add some lead wire for weight

Step 2

Push the lead wire into the back of the bead and secure it with the thread. Cover the rest of the shank with thread.

Step 3

Tie in a tail from marabou. Cut the waste at the start of the lead wraps to avoid bumps in the underbody.

Step 4

Take two strands of Krystal Flash, at least twice the length of the tail. Tie them in at their center point with the back ends in an angle. Fold the front ends back and secure them with the ends angled in the opposite direction. Do the same on the far side of the tail.

Step 5

Tie in a hackle feather in the tip end and tie then also in the Crystal Chenille.

Step 6

Make the first Crystal Chenille wrap behind the hackle feather and continue up to the bead. Secure and cut the waste. For a fatter body: Avoid tying down the flash fibres from the previous wrap by stroking them back before continuing with the next.

Step 7

Start the hackle with a full wrap and then palmer it forward. Finish with another full wrap before it's tied off just behind the bead. Make an obvious collar with the thread and whip-finish. Done...