Sounds like some good things to try. Everything is tied in front of the eyes. I think these next 2 will be better as far as tying in.

Okay, tie in the bucktail OVER the green? pink/orange or both?

I did put 3 different patterns in the water and have a slight problem, they all float point down. 1 Straight, 1 up turned and one down turned. I think my eyes are too small, 1/50th ounce isn't gonna make much difference with a salmon fly hook as far as making it turn over. Means the entire thing will be upside down the way they are tied.
I would picture the straight eye but I think my cat stole it. Hopefully it will show up before the cat gets it caught in a body part.