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Pheasant Tail Nymph

Pheasant Tail Nymph

Materials

Tying steps

  1. Mount hook in vise. Lay a smooth thread base from eye to bend.
  2. Tie in 6 pheasant tail fibers at the bend for the tail; length equal to the hook shank.
  3. Tie in a length of fine copper wire at the bend for the rib.
  4. Tie in 6 pheasant tail fibers by the tips at the bend for the abdomen, tips pointing toward the bend.
  5. Wind the pheasant tail fibers forward in tight touching turns to the 65% point of the shank. Tie off and trim excess.
  6. Counter-wind the copper wire rib forward over the body in 5 even turns. Tie off, twist to break the wire cleanly.
  7. Tie in 8 pheasant tail fibers by the tips at the 65% point, extending toward the eye, for the wing case.
  8. Tie in 2–3 strands of peacock herl at the 65% point. Wind herl forward in touching wraps to build the thorax. Tie off behind the eye.
  9. Pull the wing case fibers straight over the thorax and tie down firmly behind the eye. Trim excess.
  10. Divide the remaining fiber tips into two equal groups. Sweep each group back as legs, secure with thread wraps, build a small head, whip finish, apply head cement.

Notes

The foundational subsurface trout fly. Sawyer's original tied with copper wire as both thread and rib; the American version adds peacock herl thorax and divided leg tips. Effective year-round wherever mayfly nymphs are present — which is everywhere trout live. A Pheasant Tail with a tungsten bead sinks faster and fishes the lower column in pocket water and fast riffles.

Where this fly works