This is GEM Skues' Orange Quill. Skues used this pattern for the BWO on the Itchen and other chalk streams. He confesses he has no idea why it works. It worked for him at the evening rise for BWO. If fish were taking nymphs he used a nymph but if they were taking duns (subimagos) or spinners the Orange Quill worked.
Thread: Hot Orange Silk
Wings: Pale Starling slips, full dressed (or 2 slips per side)
Hackle: Bright red cock
Body: Condor quill dyed hot orange
Tail: Bright red cock fibers
The condor quill is almost like the body material for a Breadcrust. It is a feather stripped of its fibers and the stem split and the core removed. You can mimic the condor quill by using say a Canada Goose feather and stripping and splitting etc. I honestly think a Turkey Biot dyed hot orange will be just fine! Maybe removing some of the "width" of the biot first.
I hope you enjoy!
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