Bodkin / Patterns

Cove's Pheasant Tail

Nymph · Trout · Intermediate · 1 version

Reference Recipe

  • Hook 2XL nymph hook, 10-14
  • Thread Brown or olive 8/0

Materials

  • Rib Copper thorax stripe (fine copper wire)
  • Body Natural cock pheasant tail (4-6 fibers)
  • Wing case Natural cock pheasant tail (same fibers pulled over)
  • Thorax Grey-brown material (rabbit or seal fur dubbing)

How to tie it

  1. Mount the hook and start thread; run it right around the bend, as this pattern has no tail.
  2. Tie in the copper wire and a bunch of pheasant tail fibers at the bend.
  3. Wrap the pheasant tail fibers forward as the body to the 65% mark; tie off but do not cut, fold them back over the top.
  4. Rib the copper wire forward in 5-6 open turns to lock the fragile fibers, bind, and helicopter off.
  5. Dub a fat grey-brown rabbit thorax over the front third.
  6. Pull the reserved pheasant tail fibers over the thorax as a wing case and bind behind the eye.
  7. Build a small head, whip finish, and pick out the thorax to suggest legs.

Tying videos

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