nymph
Pheasant Tail Nymph
- Sizes
- #12–#20
- Imitates
- mayfly nymphs · BWO nymphs · PMD nymphs · Callibaetis nymphs
- Origin
- Frank Sawyer (original); Devin Olsen's simplified variant
Frank Sawyer's Pheasant Tail Nymph is one of the most widely fished subsurface patterns in the world. The natural pheasant tail fibers create a slim, buggy profile that imitates a broad range of mayfly nymphs. It is equally effective dead-drifted under an indicator or swung on a tight line in riffles.
Recipe
This is one dressing. Tie it in other colors to match the hatch in front of you.
- HookDohiku 644 / HDJ / 301 / 302SP — size 16 · Dohiku
- BeadCopper or Silver Slotted Tungsten
- ThreadVeevus 16/0 — Tan / Dark Tan / Brown · Semperfli
- TailCoq de Leon — 3-4 fibers
- BodyPheasant Tail — 3-4 fibers · Hareline
- RibSemperfli Nano Silk 12/0 — Brown
- HotspotFl. orange Veevus or Fl. pink Classic (optional)
Workbench
Variants
Swipe to see In box and Add
| Size | Bead | Body | In box | Add to box |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #12 | 2.4–3.3mm · tungsten · Tungsten | Natural | — | — |
| #14 | 2.4–3.3mm · tungsten · Tungsten | Natural | — | — |
| #16 | 2.4–3.3mm · tungsten · Tungsten | Natural | — | — |
| #18 | 2.4–3.3mm · tungsten · Tungsten | Natural | — | — |
| #20 | 2.4–3.3mm · tungsten · Tungsten | Natural | — | — |
At the vise
Wrap copper wire along the shank, tie in pheasant tail fibers for the tail and body, create a thorax with peacock herl, and form a wing case from the pheasant tail tips folded over.
Tying video
Fishing now on
Rivers whose hatch chart names this pattern this month. Names and sizes only.
- Henry's Fork of the Snake River#14-16
- Madison River#14-16
- Silver Creek#14-16
On the water
Fish a Pheasant Tail Nymph as the point fly in a two-nymph Euro rig, or under an indicator in moderate currents. It is devastating on tailwaters during BWO and PMD nymph activity. In spring creeks, drop to a #18-20 for finicky fish.
History
The Pheasant Tail is arguably the most famous nymph in the world — Frank Sawyer tied the original in the 1950s on the River Avon in England. Devin Olsen's version is a quick, durable variation that uses Semperfli Nano Silk for the ribbing, which prevents trout teeth from shredding both the pheasant tail AND the rib. He ties drab variations for low clear water and sight-fishing, and adds a hot bead or fluorescent thread hot spot when he needs more attention. It's simple, it catches fish, and it belongs in every nymph box.