It seems there are very few things that are easy to do in salmon-fly tying. This is one of the rare exceptions. If you have trouble tying in Dee strip wings, and are not a purist, you might consider this.

A tier recently gave me the crumbs off his table. They happened to be six loose, white Hoffman saddle hackles ranging from three to six inches long. While tying some Dee flies for fishing, these loose saddle hackles kept getting in the way, tangling in the hooks, seal, piles of Indian crow, cavalry and pioneer crow, chatterer, etc., ad infinitum, et al.

There was only one thing to do: get rid of the saddle hackle by putting it on a hook, fast. I took two of the hackles (about four inches long, untrimmed) and tied them flat on a Dee fly body, just like I would a Dee strip wing. It was easy, and the wings drooped ever so slightly to give the fly a bit of a wicked look. It takes about five seconds per wing. Whether for fishing or exhibition, the wings look lovely.

The feather works best if it is very narrow throughout, with little taper, densely fibered, and the quill is moderately stiff. Thus, the Hoffman brand works well. I find the shape of its saddle hackle perfect. The long saddle hackles of a Hoffman don't work as the quill is way too limp, but the shorter hackles (three to four inches) are terrific. I have not used Hoffman neck hackles, but believe in the three- to four-inch range they will also work, as will Metz.

Finally, to satisfy the purist, a fly tied with this style of wing probably can be considered a Dee style fly, but the fly is not a Dee strip wing as Tannatt refers to it. However, I doubt the local migrant you are after will care.