In message , Derek Moody
writes
A rough water fly. Basically a red tag with a white hackle - something like:

Hackle: white cock
Body: peacock herl
Tag: Red wool
Thread: To choice - but I have some recollection of purple thread being used to form a small head - Icbw.

My guess is that a conventional red tag with a red-brown hackle would work
at least as well but the white probably makes the fly more visible - to the
angler - on fast, peat tinged water.

Quite agree Derek, but I can't help thinking the purple head is a bit of
an angler's dream considering all the other colours involved. A
wouldn't think a trout would be /that/ fussy.
--
Bill Grey