Skip to main content

Tying the Irresistable Pheasant Tail Nymph Fly

This mayfly attractor nymph is a guide fly for the ages.

Pheasant Tail Nymph Recipe

  • Hook: TMC 100SP-Bl #14-20
  • Thread: 8/0 Rusty Brown
  • Rib: Fine Copper Wire
  • Tail, abdomen, wingcase, legs: Natural Pheasant Tail Fibers
  • Thorax: Peacock Herl

Tying The Pheasant Tail

Tying The Pheasant Tail Step 1 of 12

Start the thread at the 70 % point and tie in a piece of fine copper wire. Wrap back over the wire to the bend of the hook.

Tying The Pheasant Tail Step 2 of 12

Even the tips of four pheasant tail fibers and tie them in with one wrap of thread at the bend of the hook. The tails should be about 2/3rds of a shank length long.

Tying The Pheasant Tail Step 3 of 12

Lift the butt ends of the pheasant tail fibers up and out of the way while you wrap the thread forward to the 70% point, forming a tapered underbody.

Tying The Pheasant Tail Step 4 of 12

Wrap the pheasant tail fibers forward to the starting point and tie them off on the top of the hook.

Tying The Pheasant Tail Step 5 of 12

Spiral wrap the wire forward over the abdomen to the starting point, Tie off and clip the wire.

Tying The Pheasant Tail Step 6 of 12

Fold the butt ends of the pheasant tail fibers back over the front of the abdomen and tie them down so they overlap back to the sixty percent point.

Tying The Pheasant Tail Step 7 of 12

Tie in a small bunch of peacock herl behind the eye and wrap back over it to the base of the wingcase.

Tying The Pheasant Tail Step 8 of 12

Wrap the peacock forward to just behind the eye. Tie off and trim the herl.

Tying The Pheasant Tail Step 9 of 12

Fold the pheasant tail fibers forward over the peacock thorax and tie them down behind the eye.

Tying The Pheasant Tail Step 10 of 12

Pull one strand of pheasant tail back on the each side of the hook and bind them in place with two turns of thread.

Tying The Pheasant Tail Step 11 of 12

Break off the remaining two strands of pheasant tail, build a smooth head over the butt end and whip finish the thread.

Tying The Pheasant Tail Step 12 of 12

Clip the legs so they are just a touch longer than the wingcase.

Finished Pheasant Tail

GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Recommended Articles

Recent Videos

An injury and what seemed like the end of a career paved the way for a new passion. Check out the full of story of Sage ...
Destinations/Species

A Fly Fishing Short Film

An injury and what seemed like the end of a career paved the way for a new passion. Check out the full of story of Sage ...
News

FF Mag Promo June-July 2023

An injury and what seemed like the end of a career paved the way for a new passion. Check out the full of story of Sage ...
Gear

How to Tie Smitherman's Draggin' Nymph

An injury and what seemed like the end of a career paved the way for a new passion. Check out the full of story of Sage ...
Destinations/Species

Costa Films Presents “Hooked On: Bonefish”

An injury and what seemed like the end of a career paved the way for a new passion. Check out the full of story of Sage ...
Destinations/Species

Pharmaceutical Pollution Threatens Florida's Shallow-Water Fish

An injury and what seemed like the end of a career paved the way for a new passion. Check out the full of story of Sage ...
How-To/Techniques

Tying Rene Harrop's Hairwing Dun Fly

An injury and what seemed like the end of a career paved the way for a new passion. Check out the full of story of Sage ...
How-To/Techniques

Tying Barr's Damsel Fly

An injury and what seemed like the end of a career paved the way for a new passion. Check out the full of story of Sage ...
Gear

Tying the Pheasant Tail Nymph Fly

An injury and what seemed like the end of a career paved the way for a new passion. Check out the full of story of Sage ...
How-To/Techniques

Tying the Hare's Ear Fly

An injury and what seemed like the end of a career paved the way for a new passion. Check out the full of story of Sage ...
How-To/Techniques

Tying the Famous Woolly Bugger

An injury and what seemed like the end of a career paved the way for a new passion. Check out the full of story of Sage ...
How-To/Techniques

Tying the RS2 Mayfly Emerger Fly

An injury and what seemed like the end of a career paved the way for a new passion. Check out the full of story of Sage ...
Destinations/Species

Free Fly Presents “Sage”

Fly Fisherman Magazine Covers Print and Tablet Versions

GET THE MAGAZINE Subscribe & Save

Digital Now Included!

SUBSCRIBE NOW

Give a Gift   |   Subscriber Services

PREVIEW THIS MONTH'S ISSUE

Buy Digital Single Issues

Magazine App Logo

Don't miss an issue.
Buy single digital issue for your phone or tablet.

Buy Single Digital Issue on the Fly Fisherman App

Other Magazines

See All Other Magazines

Special Interest Magazines

See All Special Interest Magazines

Phone Icon

Get Digital Access.

All Fly Fisherman subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets.

To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine.

Get Digital Access

Not a Subscriber?
Subscribe Now

Enjoying What You're Reading?

Get a Full Year
of Guns & Ammo
& Digital Access.

Offer only for new subscribers.

Subscribe Now