It’s hard to go wrong with black and copper on New York’s Salmon River. The Copperhead Stone is the proof. A small steelhead nymph, easy to tie, and you won’t get upset about losing one on the bottom because you have a dozen more in your box.
Hook: Orvis 62KC size 10
Thread: Black 6/0
Tail: Black goose biots
Body: Black wool
Head: Copper solid and krystal tinsel chenille
I have an emotional connection to this pattern — it’s the fly I used to land my first steelhead. It was given to me on the river with the guarantee that I would hook a steelhead. And so it came to pass.
I kept that fly so I could duplicate it at home. The original had a black wool tag that extended a few turns below the tail; I have eliminated it, apparently with no ill effects.
currentseams.com 
Beautiful and simplistic. Please do more as time allows.
Thanks for the kind words, John. Are you talking in general, or steelhead specific?
Where can I get the copper krystal tinsel chenille in a small or medium size?
Hi Joe,
If you can’t find it at your local shop (I know All Seasons Sports in Pulaski has it) an internet search will reveal a bunch of online purchase options. The stuff I get comes in only one size.
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