Pheasant Tail Nymph

Hook: #14 – 18 TMC 3769.
Thread: brown 6/0.
Tail: pheasant tail fibers.
Rib: fine copper wire.
Body: pheasant tail fibers. Use 4-5 strands.
Thorax: peacock herl.
Wingcase: pheasant tail.
Legs (optional): pheasant tail.

Instructions:

1.      Tie on several strands of tips from pheasant tail fibers.  Proper length should be 1/3 – 1/2  of shank length

2.      Tie in strand of copper or gold ribbing for later use.

3.      Tie in 4-5 strands of pheasant tail fibers; tie in fibers first and wrap forward, leaving enough space for thorax.

4.      Wrap copper ribbing forward, remembering to wrap in the opposite direction and tie down where thorax begins.

5.      Tie in several more strands of pheasant tail fibers for the wingcase.

6.      Tie in 1-2 strands of peacock herl, form a peacock rope and wrap towards eye (3-4 turns) to build a body; tie down.

7.      Fold wingcase towards eye of hook, partially covering peacock on top of fly; tie down.

8.      Whip finish.  If you wish to add legs, you can just cut the leftover fibers used for the wingcase longer to give it the appearance of legs.  To do this, fold the leftover wingcase material back over the body and wrap it a few times to hold the fibers back.

Comments: I usually have more luck fishing this pattern with a gold beadhead.  This is one of the best mayfly nymph imitations available.  Here in AZ, it’s an excellent representation of the blue-winged olive nymph and callibaetis.  It’s simple to use and very easy to tie.   I tie most of mine in natural, but also tie olive, green, red, cream, and flashback versions. Fish in every body of moving water in Arizona will take this fly – including Lees Ferry!  In lakes, it can be fished very effectively as a dropper or trailer.  Most stillwater trout chasing emerging mayflies will grab this fly as it rises towards the surface.  A great technique is to lift your rod tip, causing the fly to rise.  Feeding trout can’t resist chasing something that looks like it’s getting away.