Bodkin / Patterns

Golden Pheasant Tail

Nymph · Trout · Intermediate · 1 version

Reference Recipe

  • Hook 1XL nymph hook, 12-18
  • Thread Yellow-olive 8/0 (70 denier)

Materials

  • Bead Gold bead (1, sized to hook (optional))
  • Tail Golden/dyed-yellow pheasant tail (3-4 fibers)
  • Body Golden/dyed-yellow pheasant tail (small bunch fibers)
  • Rib Gold middle (fine wire)
  • Wingcase Golden pheasant tail (pulled-over bunch)
  • Thorax Golden yellow polar bear or substitute (1 pinch dubbing or peacock)

How to tie it

  1. Slide on the gold bead if using and start thread behind it.
  2. Tie in three or four dyed pheasant-tail fibers at the bend for a tail about half a shank long.
  3. Bind in the gold wire, then a small bunch of pheasant fibers by the tips.
  4. Wrap the fibers forward to the 65% mark to form a slim segmented abdomen and tie off.
  5. Counter-wrap the gold rib forward in 4-5 even turns and tie down, so it protects the fragile herl.
  6. Pull the remaining butt fibers back and dub a small golden thorax, then fold the fibers over as a wingcase and bind at the bead.
  7. Whip finish behind the bead and trim the wingcase butts.

Tying videos

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