Bodkin / Patterns

Rowley's Herl May Flashback

Nymph · Trout · Intermediate · 1 version

Reference Recipe

  • Hook 1XL nymph hook, 12-16
  • Thread Brown 8/0

Materials

  • Pheasant tail fibers (tail, body, legs) Natural ringneck (1 small bunch)
  • Wire rib Copper wire (fine, 1 strand)
  • Flashback/wing case Pearl/opal tinsel (1 strand)
  • Peacock herl (thorax) Natural peacock herl (2-3 herls)

How to tie it

  1. Start thread and lay a base to the bend.
  2. Bind a small bunch of pheasant tail fibers as a tail, half a shank long, and leave the butts long. They become the abdomen.
  3. Tie in fine copper wire and a strand of pearl tinsel at the tail.
  4. Wrap the pheasant tail fibers forward to the 65% mark for a slim, segmented abdomen; counter-rib with the copper wire in 5-6 open turns and tie off.
  5. Tie in 2-3 peacock herls and wrap a plump thorax to just behind the eye.
  6. Pull the pearl tinsel over the top of the thorax as a bright flashback wing case and bind at the eye. It mimics the gas bubble of an emerging Callibaetis.
  7. Fold the leftover pheasant tips back along each side as legs to the hook point, bind them, and build a small head.
  8. Whip finish and cement.

Tying videos

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