Bodkin / Patterns

Atomic Pheasant Tail-Beadhead

Nymph · Trout · Intermediate · 1 version

Reference Recipe

  • Hook 1X-long nymph hook, #16 (12-18)
  • Thread Brown 70 denier

Materials

  • Tungsten bead Copper bead (1, 2.8mm)
  • Pheasant tail fibers Natural pheasant tail fibers (tail + abdomen + legs)
  • Fine wire Copper wire (short length (rib))
  • Peacock herl Natural peacock herl (1-2 strands (thorax))
  • Flashabou Pearl flashabou (1 strand (wingcase))

How to tie it

  1. Slide a copper bead to the eye and start thread behind it.
  2. Tie in 3-4 pheasant tail fiber tips at the bend for a tail about half a shank long, and catch in a length of fine copper wire.
  3. Bind 4-5 pheasant tail fibers by their tips, run thread to the 60% mark, then wind the fibers forward as a slim abdomen and tie off.
  4. Counter-wrap the wire forward in 5-6 turns to rib and armor the abdomen; helicopter to break the tag.
  5. Tie in a strand of pearl flash for the wingcase and a fresh bunch of pheasant fibers pointing rearward, then wrap a peacock-herl thorax up to the bead.
  6. Pull the rearward fibers over the top as a thorax cover, fold the pearl flash over them for a shiny wingcase, and tie off behind the bead.
  7. Split the leftover fiber tips to the sides as legs, trim to a shank-quarter, then whip finish behind the bead and cement.

Tying videos

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