Philo Thorax Nymph

Hook:   Heavy wire, Down Eye Nymph or Wet Fly Hook 
Tail:   Wooduck or similar Barred Fibers 
Body:   Natural Hares Ear/Antron Mix 
Rib :   Gold 
Hackle: Grouse Plumage (2 Parts-See Instructions)

Tying Instructions:

Lay down thread base and weight as required. Secure tail and gold rib. Dub body up towards eye, leaving enough room for the 2 part hackle. Wind rib forward and secure. Hackle technique depends on size chosen, and characteristics of grouse feathers. For larger flies (say size 6 for steelheading) strip the lower fuzzy fibers from a grouse feather, being careful to leave a few in place, just below where the dark brown fibers start. Secure the feather at the point of the stem just below the fuzzy fibers that were left in place. Wind hackle on so that you get 1 or 2 turns of fuzzy fibers, then continue winding for 1 or 2 turns of the dark brown fibers. This leaves the fuzzy ones underneath of the longer dark brown ones.
For smaller flies (say size 10 and down) the above technique won't work as the fuzzy fibers and the brown fibers will be way too long. Instead, take a close look at one of the grouse plummage feathers and you will see a fine narrow fuzzy stalk at its base. Use this stalk for the initial 1 or 2 turns of fuzzy material, then select a feather with very short fibers, tie in by the tip and make 1 or 2 turns, being careful to stop when the brown fibers get too long. The length of the dark fibers varies, but generally are shorter than the dubbed body.

Stephan Estes (ESZES@web.apc.org)