Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2018 - 17

Display a full pheasant so your tier understands where the Pheasant Tail
Nymph materials originate.

tie the rest of the material in as the body. Beginning tiers
may benefit from accomplishing this in two steps. First, tie
in the tail. Then, tie in a second batch of pheasant fibers
to begin wrapping the body of the fly. Wrap a sleek body
up toward the bead head using the pheasant. Instead of
wrapping by hand, hackle pliers may be necessary to grasp
the pheasant fibers. Remind tiers to wind the thread up to
the eye before wrapping the material, so they can trap the
body fibers.
Counter wrap (reverse wrap) the wire over the pheasant
tail to lock in the fibers and segment the pattern. Then,
choose the thorax color. I apply Ice Dubbing for its ease
of use and sparkle, which mimics a nymphal shuck. For
a more natural look, choose cool colors such as olive or
peacock black. To add in a "hot spot" attractor, try orange
or hot pink.
Kids have a tendency to use excess dubbing, so I find
demonstrating the process and using the term a "wisp" of
dubbing helps them see that it doesn't take much. Lastly, if
they wish to add legs, they can tie in and wrap two turns of
partridge, starling or brown saddle hackle. This completes
the pattern. As fly tiers gain experience, teach them how to
half hitch or whip finish over the bead head.
For a more advanced fly, incorporate tying in a wing
case. After creating the body, fold the pheasant tail fibers
back and tie them down. Then, tie in three or four peacock
herl fibers. Next, wrap the herl forward to shape a round
thorax. Lastly, tie off the herl and fold the extra pheasant
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Pheasant Tail Nymphs

tail fibers over the thorax to form the wing case. Leave
some excess pheasant tail fibers to create legs on each side
of the body.
While tying together in these winter months, add
variations to your tying repertoire, and stock your fly box
with Pheasant Tail Nymphs.

Sawyer's Pheasant Tail Nymph
Hook: Nymph hook (sizes 14-18)
Thread/weight: Fine copper wire
Tail: Pheasant tail fibers
Abdomen/Thorax/Wingcase: Pheasant tail fibers
and copper wire (twisted together)

EZ-PT
Hook: Nymph hook (sizes 10-16)
Thread: Brown, red or rusty orange
Tail: Pheasant tail fibers
Rib: Copper Ultra Wire, small
Abdomen: Pheasant tail fibers
Body: Pheasant tail fibers
Thorax: Ice dubbing, peacock black or hot pink
Hackle: Partridge or starling feathers
Head: Copper bead (match with hook size)

Pennsylvania Angler & Boater * January/February 2018

17



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