Wet Flies
Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail
A marriage of the Pheasant Tail Nymph and soft hackle tradition, this pattern fishes brilliantly on the swing. The pheasant tail body provides the mayfly profile while the partridge hackle collar breathes and pulses, suggesting an emerging nymph ascending toward the surface.

Frequently Asked Questions
What size Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail should I use?
The Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail is most commonly tied in sizes 14–18. Choose smaller sizes for clear water and pressured fish, and larger sizes for faster or off-color water.
What does a Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail imitate?
The Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail primarily imitates emerging mayflies, ascending nymphs.
Pattern Details
- Category
- Wet Flies
- Sizes
- 14–18
- Colors
- Natural pheasant, Olive
- Hook Styles
- Standard wet fly
- Imitates
- emerging mayflies, ascending nymphs
- Water Types
- freestone, tailwater, spring creek
Buy This Fly
Buy at Fly Fish Food—
catches logged by anglers
Target Species
rainbow troutbrown troutbrook troutcutthroat trout
Effective on These Rivers
Pattern Details
- Category
- Wet Flies
- Sizes
- 14–18
- Colors
- Natural pheasant, Olive
- Hook Styles
- Standard wet fly
- Imitates
- emerging mayflies, ascending nymphs
- Water Types
- freestone, tailwater, spring creek
Buy This Fly
Buy at Fly Fish Food—
catches logged by anglers
Target Species
rainbow troutbrown troutbrook troutcutthroat trout



