In this week’s “How to Tie” video feature, InTheRiffle ties one of the most popular and productive patterns ever developed, the Pheasant Tail Nymph.
Learn About This Fly:
Difficulty: Easy
When it comes to fly tying, there are few patterns that have stood the test of time and evolution. Some that may ring a bell are the Grey Ghost, Parachute Adams, and Hares Ear Nymph. These are flies that can produce in nearly any trout filled river in the world and receive praise whenever tied on the end of a line. One of the most notorious patterns in fly fishing that should be in all angler’s nymphing box is the Pheasant Tail Nymph, an effective subsurface fly that produces with the best of them.
For novice tyers, this is a great pattern to learn on. This was the first fly I tied many years ago in a pizza shop on a winter Tuesday night. I like to believe my skills have gotten better since, but learning with fragile natural materials is crucial to understanding pressure and break strength. Having a grasp of what each material can do and how to use it is invaluable in tying and the Pheasant Tail Nymph is the perfect fly to start that journey.
This pattern will fool trout during any season and often times is best suited in a double fly rig, whether that be dry dropper or double nymphs. The variations are endless with this fly and adding a hot spot or bead are just two of many very productive examples. If there was ever a pattern to fish with confidence, this is certainly the one. Get your best fishing buddy into tying this winter with the Pheasant Tail nymph and watch them spiral into true fly fishing addiction.
Ingredients:
- Hook: #14-22 Tiemco 3761 or 100
- Thread: Red UTC 70
- Tail: Pheasant Tail
- Rib: Small Copper Wire
- Body: Pheasant Tail
- Thorax: Peacock Herl
- Thorax and Legs: Pheasant Tail
Now you know how to tie the Pheasant Tail Nymph!
Video and ingredients courtesy of InTheRiffle.
