Bodkin / Patterns

Pheasant Tail CDC Bead

Nymph · Trout · Intermediate · 1 version

Reference Recipe

  • Hook standard nymph hook, 14-18
  • Thread brown 8/0

Materials

  • Brass or tungsten bead Copper bead (1)
  • Pheasant tail fibers Natural pheasant tail fibers (small bunch)
  • Fine wire rib Copper wire (1 strand)
  • Peacock herl Natural peacock herl (2 strands)
  • CDC feather Natural dun cdc feather (1)

How to tie it

  1. Slide a copper bead to the eye and start thread behind it.
  2. Tie in a pheasant tail tail one half shank long and bind a copper wire at the base.
  3. Wrap pheasant tail forward to the 65% mark for a slim body and counter-rib with the wire in 5-6 open turns.
  4. Wrap a short peacock thorax, leaving room behind the bead for the collar.
  5. Tie in a CDC feather and take two soft turns as a breathing collar, then stroke the fibers rearward.
  6. Whip finish behind the bead, snip, and add a drop of cement at the head.

Tying videos

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