Learn how to tie the Quasimodo Pheasant Tail Nymph pattern including step-by-step instructions, a video tutorial, pictures, and much more. Improve your fly tying skills here.



Trident Fly Fishing is a full-service fly shop. We spend a lot of time testing gear and writing reviews to give you all of the tools to make your next trip a success.  We are not a blog or a review site. 100% of our funding comes from your gear purchases, so if this blog post helps you on your next fly fishing adventure, please support us by buying your gear from us.


The 'Quasimodo' fly is a mayfly attractor pattern that is tied similarly to the Pheasant Tail Nymph. This is a great fly for tailwaters, spring creeks, and any water system where mayflies are present. Trout can see this fly easily in dirty water and the Tungsten bead sinks it into the strike zone quickly so you can catch more fish. If you're looking for a mayfly attractor pattern with a little flash, try this variation out. Tune in as Jared provides step-by-step instructions for this small attractor nymph.


Materials:

Buy Material Kit


Step One:



Start your thread just behind the bead and tie in the pheasant tail right at the bend of the hook. Measure the pheasant tail so it extends roughly 1.5x the length of the hook shank.


Step Two:



Next, tie in the copper wire and wrap the tag end forward to just behind the bead. Don't trim the excess pheasant tail yet - you'll use it later for the body of the fly.


Step Three:



Tie in the Polarflash just behind the bead and use your thread to wrap rearward to anchor the Polarflash into the body of the fly.


Step Four:



Pull the pheasant tail rearward over the top of the hook shank and tie it in at the bend of the hook. Once it's tied in, wrap it forward around the hook shank taking touching turns to create the body of the fly. Tie it off roughly 1 bead length away from the bead to leave room for the thorax.


Step Five:



Next, pull the Polarflash forward on top of the hook shank and tie it off with the pheasant tail.


Step Six:



Wrap the copper wire forward to create a ribbed fly body. Take wide, open turns with the wire, tie it off with the Polarflash and the pheasant tail, and helicopter the excess wire off.


Step Seven:



Snip the excess Polarflash off, double it over, and tie it back in behind the pheasant tail. You'll use this doubled-over Polarflash to create the wing case later.


Step Eight:



Pull the excess pheasant tail rearward and tie it in just in front of the Polarflash. This will give you room to use the Peacock Herl to create the thorax in Step Nine.


Step Nine:



Choose 2-3 strands of Peacock Herl and tie them in on top of the hook shank just behind the bead. These will be used to create the thorax of the fly.


Step Ten:



Wrap the Peacock Herl forward taking touching turns and tie it off right behind the bead. Take a few wraps in front and a few wraps behind the herls to anchor them down. After tying them off, break off the excess herls.


Step Eleven:



Choose a single partridge feather, strip off the tip, and work the feather fibers into a V shape. Seat the V right on top of the hook shank to create two rows of legs, one on each side of the fly. Tie in the partridge feather just behind the bead and snip off any excess fibers.


Step Twelve:



Pull the pheasant tail and Polarflash over to create a wing case. Pull the pheasant tail over first making sure to keep it as widely spread as possible. Tie it off right behind the bead. Then, pull over the Polarflash to create the flashy wing case. Use a pair of fine-point scissors to trim the excess materials as close to the bead as possible.


Step Thirteen:



Reinforce the wing case of the fly with UV Clear Fly Finish. This will add durability to the fly and secure your thread wraps.


Step Fourteen:



And that's it! That's the Quasimodo Pheasant Tail Nymph, a great attractor pattern for a variety of freshwater angling scenarios.


Questions? 


Give us a call here at the shop at (888) 413-5211 or email us anytime at [email protected].