Pheasant Tail Nymph ( a Frank Sawyer fly)

Nymph

Tied By Christian Andrews

Hook: #14 – 18 nymph

Thread: brown

Materials-

tail: 8-10 fibers from center Pheasant tail

rib: fine copper wire

body: same 8-10 fibers from center Pheasant tail

thorax: 8-10 fibers from center Pheasant tail

wing case: same 8-10 fibers from center Pheasant tail as tail and body

Notes:

This is a Frank Sawyer fly presented by Ed Story in Missouri Trout Flys How to Tye and Fish Them

Lay down a thread base
Tie in 8-10 center tail feather fibers from a Pheasant Cock (vary the feathers for a change in color) at the hook bend with the tail about half the hook shank in length
Tie in the rib wire
Wrap the center portion of the tail fibers around the shank with touching wraps to create the body; leave plenty of room for the thorax and head
Pull the butt ends of the body fibers straight up and tie off with thread wraps over and under to catch the fibers in and make them lean back over the body
Spiral wrap the wire over the body; catch in; helicopter to break the wire (or clip)
Tie in a second bunch of 8-10 center tail feather fibers from a Pheasant Cock by the butt ends with the tips over the body tight against the body; take thread to behind the eye; clip off extra butt ends
Wrap these fibers around the shank between the body and the eye to create the thorax; catch in; tie off; clip extra tips
Fold the the butt ends of the fibers used for the tail and body forward over the thorax; catch in with tight thread wraps behind the eye; clip extra butt ends
Wrap the head; whip finish; clip thread
Lacquer or resin the wing case and head.