Pheasant Tail Nymph

Frank Sawyer's Pheasant Tail Nymph is arguably the most effective trout fly ever tied. The copper wire ribbing gives just enough weight to sink it into feeding lanes, and the slim pheasant fiber body perfectly imitates swimming Baetis nymphs. Indicator-fish it in deep runs or dead-drift it close to the bottom on a tight line. Adding a copper bead head increases sink rate and flash.

Type

nymph (Mayfly)

Hook sizes

#14–20

Target species

trout

Difficulty

beginner

Best seasons

spring, summer, fall, winter

Materials

• hook: Nymph hook #14–20
• thread: Copper wire (used as both thread and ribbing)
• tail: Pheasant tail fibers (3–4)
• body: Pheasant tail fibers wound forward
• ribbing: Fine copper wire
• wingcase: Pheasant tail fibers, folded over thorax

Tying steps

1. Mount a size 14–20 nymph hook; tie in fine copper wire at the bend to serve as both thread and ribbing.
2. Tie in 3–4 pheasant tail fibers as a short tail, extending one hook-gap beyond the bend.
3. Wind the pheasant tail fibers forward in overlapping turns to build a slim tapered body to the 2/3 mark.
4. Counter-wrap the copper wire in 5–6 open spirals over the body to rib and reinforce.
5. Tie in another bundle of pheasant tail fibers by the tips at the 2/3 mark.
6. Fold those fibers forward over the thorax as a wing case; tie down but do not clip yet.
7. Dub or wind pheasant fibers as the thorax; fold the wing case over and tie down behind the eye.
8. Pull the remaining fiber tips back on each side to form legs; whip finish and apply a thin coat of lacquer.