Turck's Tarantula

Hook: 3XL or 4XL; here, the Daiichi model
    2460; sizes 10 and 8.
Thread: Start with beige or yellow 8/0
    Uni-Thread or similar, then switch to a
    gel-spun thread.
Tail: Golden pheasant tippet strands.
Body: Light-colored hare’s ear mixed with
    yellow rabbit fur.
Wing: White calf tail.
Wing Topping: Pearl Krystal Flash or similar.
Collar: Light-colored natural or golden-
    colored deer hair.
Legs: Brown or yellow rubber leg material,
    two legs (one strip) on each side.
Head: Same as for the collar.
Tying Note: Back when we were spinning
    deer hair with thread that resembled
    the mooring line of the QE2, the rule
    was to spin over bare hook. With gel
    thread, that’s no longer the case; in
    fact, a much more durable result is
    obtained by spinning over a layer or
    two of the thread. Here, I’m using a
    very fine-denier gel thread, the Uni-Cord
    50-denier, which prior to the change in
    thread designations was labeled 12/0.
    For smaller hair work, this thread is
    ideal, as it takes up so little space.
    However, heavier deniers will work okay.
    As mentioned in the tying steps, I
    recommend using the spinning loop
    technique for dubbing the bodies on
    Turck’s Tarantulas. The size of the flies
    and the amount of dubbing required
    makes this a good choice. Also, it
    produces a much tighter-packed body,
    which is desirable on a dry fly.
    As mentioned earlier in the book, the
    Daiichi model 2460 comes no larger
    than a size 8. For larger flies, you
    might use the Daiichi model 2461,
    which has a black finish, or any other
    light-wire long-shanked hook.