Bodkin / Patterns

Flashback American Pheasant Tail

Nymph · Trout · Grayling · Advanced · 1 version

Classic Recipe

  • Hook 2XL nymph hook (Tiemco 5262 or Daiichi 1710), #12-20
  • Thread Brown 70D / 8-0

Materials

  • Tail Dark brown (natural) pheasant tail fibers, 4-6 fibers (1 small bunch)
  • Rib UTC Ultra Wire, copper, small (brassie) (6 in)
  • Abdomen Dark brown (natural) pheasant tail fibers (6-8 fibers)
  • Flashback / wingcase Pearl Mylar tinsel (Flashabou or medium pearl Mylar) (1 strand)
  • Thorax Peacock herl (2-3 strands)
  • Legs Butt tips of the wingcase pheasant tail fibers (reused)

How to tie it

  1. Start the brown thread behind the eye and wrap a smooth base back to the bend, stopping above the barb.
  2. Tie in 4-6 dark brown pheasant tail fibers so the tips extend one-half shank length past the bend to form the tail.
  3. Tie in the copper wire at the bend, then a strand of pearl Mylar tinsel on top of the shank at the bend (this becomes the flashback).
  4. Tie in 6-8 pheasant tail fibers by the tips at the bend. Wrap the thread forward to the 60% point, then wrap the pheasant tail fibers forward over it in touching turns to build a slim abdomen; tie off at 60%.
  5. Counter-rib the copper wire forward over the abdomen in 5 evenly spaced open turns (counter-wrapping locks the fragile herl-like fibers in place); tie off and helicopter to break the wire.
  6. Pull the pearl Mylar forward over the top of the abdomen and tie it down at the 60% point, leaving it long for now.
  7. Tie in 2-3 peacock herls and wrap them forward to just behind the eye to form a fat thorax; tie off.
  8. Tie in a small bunch of dark brown pheasant tail fibers at the front of the thorax pointing forward, then pull them back over the thorax as the wingcase and split a few fibers to each side for legs (tips reaching the hook point).
  9. Pull the pearl Mylar forward over the wingcase for the flashback shine, tie off behind the eye, trim, build a small head and whip finish.

Tying videos

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