Golden Demon

This version was tied by Matt O'Neal of Savage Flies: Check out his hugely educational YouTube channel at Savage Flies.

The Golden Demon is a classic steelhead and salmon fly that has stood the test of time. This pattern dates back decades and is featured in Dave Hughes’ 1986 book on steelhead flies, where it appears among many traditional winter patterns dominated by shades of orange and red. The reasoning behind this color preference isn’t fully settled, but many anglers believe it relates to water clarity, temperature, and light conditions during the winter months.

Although originally designed for winter steelhead, the Golden Demon is highly versatile. You can also tie and fish it as a trout streamer or use it for smallmouth and largemouth bass.

The Golden Demon is best-fished in swinging presentations. Cast across the current and allow the fly to drift and swing downstream, mimicking the movement of a baitfish or insect. For trout and bass, try stripping it through deeper pools or along structure, where its flashy profile can trigger aggressive strikes.

Materials

Hook: Steelhead/salmon hook, size 4–8
Thread: 140 denier black
Tail: Golden pheasant crest|
Body: Gold Mylar tinsel (medium)
Rib: Small oval gold tinsel
Throat: Bright orange saddle hackle fibers
Wing: Brown bear hair or red squirrel tail
Head: Thread wraps, finished with UV resin or head cement

Step 1

If required by regulations, start by pinching the barb. Secure the hook in the vise and begin wrapping 140 denier black thread just behind the hook eye. Lay down a smooth thread base, wrapping evenly back to the hook bend.

Step 2

Select a small tuft of golden pheasant crest, ensuring it has a natural upward curve. Position it at the hook bend and secure it with soft wraps before tightening. Trim any excess and smooth the base with additional thread wraps.

Step 3

Take a piece of small oval gold tinsel and tie it in along the near side of the hook. Wrap the thread back, securing the tinsel along the length of the hook shank.

Step 4

Tie in a strip of medium gold Mylar tinsel, ensuring the gold side faces outward. Wrap it in smooth, even turns from the tail forward, creating a clean body. Secure the tinsel just behind the hook eye and trim any excess.

Step 5

Counter-wrap the gold oval tinsel over the Mylar body in 5–6 evenly spaced turns. Secure it at the front of the fly and trim the excess.

Step 6

Select a few bright orange saddle hackle fibers and tie them in underneath the hook. The fibers should extend about halfway down the hook shank. Secure them with tight wraps and trim any excess.

Step 7

Use either brown bear hair or red squirrel tail (used here) for the wing. Cut a small clump, remove any underfur, and align the tips with a hair stacker. Position the wing so it extends to the hook bend, just short of the tail. Secure it on top of the fly with a pinch wrap, reinforcing with a few tight wraps. Trim the excess at an angle and smooth the area with thread wraps.

Step 8

Build a smooth thread head at the front of the fly. Whip finish and trim the thread. Finally, apply head cement or UV resin to seal and strengthen the head, ensuring durability.