Tying a pheasant tail nymph

Come October my dogs and I are chasing wild roosters all over Montana. Not only do I enjoy chasing these birds but using every part of them. Fine meals, tail feather in our Christmas tree for decor and of course flies. At the end of season I’m handing out tail fathers and capes to friends and family so come winter they can start tying a pheasant tail nymph, one of the most effective pattern used today.

The pheasant tail nymph is named for the use of the fibers from the tail of a rooster pheasant as the main material for the body of the fly. The body is typically wrapped with copper wire or tinsel to some tiers add weight and a bit of flash.

Standard nymph rigs to dry dropper, the pheasant tail nymph is versatile and effective on many wester rivers. It can be fished in a variety of situations, from fast-moving riffles to Stillwater on lakes.

Tying the pheasant tail nymph

 Here is a step-by-step guide to tying the pheasant tail nymph:

Materials:

• Hook: Size 12-18 nymph hook
• Thread: Brown or black 6/0 or 8/0 thread
• Tail: 6-8 pheasant tail fibers
• Ribbing: Copper wire
• Abdomen: Pheasant tail fibers
• Wing case: Pheasant tail fibers
• Thorax: Peacock herl
• Bead (optional): Copper or brass bead

Steps:

1. Start by sliding a bead onto the hook (if you are using one), and then secure the hook in your vise.
2. Attach your thread to the hook shank just behind the bead and wrap it down the shank to the bend of the hook.
3. Tie in 6-8 pheasant tail fibers at the bend of the hook to form the tail. The tail should be about the same length as the hook shank.
4. Tie in a piece of copper wire at the base of the tail and wrap it down the shank to the bend.
5. Tie in 4-6 pheasant tail fibers at the base of the tail and wrap the thread up the shank to just behind the bead.
6. Take the pheasant tail fibers and wrap them forward to form the abdomen. Try to make the wraps as tight and close together as possible, and secure them with your thread.
7. Take the copper wire and wrap it forward over the abdomen in evenly spaced wraps, making sure to catch each wrap with the thread to secure it.
8. Tie in another 4-6 pheasant tail fibers just behind the bead to form the wing case. The fibers should be about the same length as the tail.
9. Take the pheasant tail fibers and pull them over the top of the thorax to form the wing case. Secure them with your thread.
10. Tie in 2-3 peacock herl fibers at the base of the wing case and wrap them forward to form the thorax. Try to make the wraps as tight and close together as possible, and secure them with your thread.
11. Whip finish the thread wraps and trim it off.
12. Trim the pheasant tail fibers and peacock herl to shape the fly and add a drop of head cement.

Your pheasant tail nymph is now complete!