Bodkin / Patterns

Sawyer's Original Pheasant Tail

Nymph · Trout · Grayling · Beginner · 1 version

Tyer Recipe

  • Hook Standard nymph hook, 14-18
  • Thread None (copper wire used in place of thread)

Materials

  • Fine copper wire Red-brown copper fine wire (1 length)
  • Cock pheasant tail fibers Natural pheasant tail fibers (4-6)

How to tie it

  1. Catch on the fine copper wire near the eye and wind it back to the bend, then to the eye and back to build a slim underbody (no thread is used).
  2. Tie in the tips of the pheasant tail fibers at the bend so they project as a short tail.
  3. Twist the wire and pheasant tail loosely together and wind the rope forward to the thorax to form the abdomen.
  4. Wind the wire alone forward and back to build a pronounced thorax hump.
  5. Fold the remaining pheasant tail fibers over the thorax as a wingcase, tie down with the wire, and finish with a wire whip/twist behind the eye.

Tying videos

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