Pheasant Tail Nymph BH

Here’s one of those long-standing patterns that falls into the “don’t leave home without it” category.

Pheasant Tail Nymph (BH)It’s representative of a host of mayfly nymphs, but not really any one in particular. I tie it in sizes 12 to 16, both with and without the bead head. I’ve given up on size 18’s long ago, but it’s effective in that size as well.

In bead head size 12, this has been a reliable fish-getter for me in the winter. Whether suspended and dead drifting under an indicator, or “bottom bouncing” with split shot, right on the bottom, it works.

(Click photo for a larger view.)

Here’s the tie:

Hook: Daiichi 1550 (or 1710 for bead head version) in sizes 12 to 16
Thread: Orange 6/0
Tail: Ringneck pheasant tail fibers
Ribbing: Copper wire (medium or fine, depends on hook size)
Wing case: Ringneck pheasant tail fibers. After tying in, bend back the tips to create legs.
Abdomen: Ringneck pheasant tail fibers wound around shank
Thorax: Peacock herl
Legs: The “natural” ends of the pheasant tail wing case fibers
Head: Either a gold or brass bead head, or (in non-BH models) a neat orange thread head.