Pheasant Tail Nymph

The Pheasant Tail is a popular nymph imitation used when fly fishing. It is used to mimic a large variety of creatures that many fish including Trout feed upon. It is also widely referred to as the Sawyer’s Pheasant Tail, in relation to the original creator of this fly.

History

Originally conceived and tied by Frank Sawyer MBE, an English River Keeper, the Pheasant Tail Nymph is one of the oldest of modern nymphs.

Frank devised the pattern for use on the River Avon%2C Hampshire, in Wiltshire in Southern England. He designed this nymph to imitate several species of the Baetis family, generally referred to as the 'olives'; it quickly became world famous as an acknowledged pattern.

Tying the fly

Frank Sawyers’ book 'Nymphs and Trout' first published in 1958 describes the method of tying and fishing the nymph.

Frank twisted the wire and pheasant tail fibers around one another, and wrapped them forward together, forming the thorax and abdomen. A few good variations have been developed over the years, but when you strip them away, it's still Sawyer's elegantly simple, devastatingly effective nymph.

Frank’s Pheasant Tail suggests many of the skinny nymphs that flourish in various habitats, exciting riffles to alluring deep holes in the rivers bed of chalk streams or spring creeks; and in stillwaters of all sizes.

Fishing the Pheasant Tail

In streams and rivers, the Pheasant Tail can be presented just below the surface, but more often it is usually at its most productive when fished close to the river bed on a dead drift. To achieve the right depth, a weight is generally placed on the leader.

In Chalk streams and spring creeks you can often see the trout at its feeding station. Cast upstream and allow the current to present your Pheasant Tail in a natural manner.

On lakes, this is a very effective fly in the middle of the day during Callibaetis season. Use a floating line with greased sunken leader, retrieve the fly very slowly just below the surface. Pay particular attention to shallow areas near weed beds. The Flashback Pheasant Tail is especially useful before, during, and immediately after a Callibaetis hatch.

References

* Sawyer, Frank (1958) "Nymphs and Trout."

External links

* [http://www.fish4flies.com/Nymphs/Hare's_Ear_and_Pheasant_Tail/Pheasant_Tail_Nymph The Pheasant Tail Nymph]
* [http://www.flyfishersrepublic.com/patterns/pheasant-tail-nymph/ Notes, Uses, and Tying Instructions for the Pheasant Tail Nymph]