Pheasant Tail Nymph

Frank Sawyer's design, imitates mayflies. A staple in U.S. waters.

Printed on the 7 of diamonds

Frank Sawyer built this fly out of two materials because that was all he thought it needed: pheasant tail fibres for the body and fine copper wire to bind them and add weight. There is no thread in the original dressing. Seventy years later it remains the first nymph most anglers tie on and the last one they give up on.

It works because mayfly nymphs are slim, tapered, brown and translucent, and pheasant tail fibres are all four of those things at once. The color shifts subtly as it wets, the fibre tips make convincing tails and legs, and the wire gives it just enough weight to get down without the fly looking like a piece of hardware. Nothing about it is loud.

Its range is remarkable. In #18 and smaller it is a baetis nymph on a winter tailwater; in #12 it is a larger mayfly nymph on a spring freestone. Beadhead versions get it deeper faster; the original unweighted version fishes beautifully in the film during an emergence. If you had to fish one nymph for the rest of your life, the argument for this one is difficult to beat.

What does a Pheasant Tail Nymph imitate?

Mayfly nymphs, especially baetis.

How do you fish a Pheasant Tail Nymph?

Dead drift under an indicator or as the point fly in a two-nymph rig. Also deadly fished as a dropper below a dry. At the end of the drift let it swing and rise — the lift imitates an emerging nymph and draws savage takes.

When should you fish a Pheasant Tail Nymph?

Every month of the year. Strongest before and during mayfly hatches, when nymphs are active and moving toward the surface.

What are the quick tips for fishing it?

• The unweighted original is a superb emerger; do not assume you always want a bead.
• Size down before you change patterns — #18 solves more problems than a new fly.
• Let it swing at the end of every drift. That is where a third of the takes come from.

How is a Pheasant Tail Nymph tied?

• Hook: standard nymph, #12-#22
• Weight: copper wire underbody, optional bead
• Tail: pheasant tail fibre tips
• Body: pheasant tail fibres wound and ribbed with copper wire
• Thorax: peacock herl or built-up copper wire
• Wing case: pheasant tail fibres pulled over

Dressings vary by tier and region. Treat this as the common recipe, not the only one.