How to Tie the Pheasant Tail Fly

Jun 02, 2021 · 3 min read

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

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The Pheasant Tail is an essential fly you can turn to anytime fish are feeding on subsurface mayfly nymphs. The Pheasant Tail works as a general searching pattern and can imitate specific mayfly species, as well. It's particularly deadly when swinging through riffles before a hatch. Follow along as Levi shows the step-by-step directions needed to tie the Pheasant Tail nymph.

Recipe

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Step One:

Pheasant tail fly tying: close-up of green steel hook in vise with brown pheasant feather tail and silver thread wraps

Begin the pattern by running the thread along the base. Next, clip off four feathers from the pheasant tail. Measure the tail section to the shank’s length, then position the feathers at the rear of the hook with the fibers facing outward. Run the thread over the entire span of feathers, then clip the outward-facing material off.

Step Two:

Pheasant tail fly tying: brown pheasant fibers and copper wire wrapped with tan thread on curved nymph hook held in vise

The copper wire enhances the pheasant tail's durability, as well as adds flash. Tie the wire around the thorax and run the thread to the seat. It is critical to keep the underbody as clean as possible to ensure a smooth working area.

Step Three:

Pheasant tail fly nymph in vise with brown pheasant fibers, copper wire ribbing on a slim hook for fly fishing

Clip off eight pheasant tail fibers and tie them at the thorax. Next, run the thread down the shank then to the eye. Wrap the feathers up the shank to create the abdomen, then tie the fibers down and clip off the excess material.

Step Four:

Brown pheasant tail fly with copper rib and tan thread on curved hook held in fly-tying vise

Advance the copper wire up the shank with evenly spaced wraps. Once again, the wire plays an essential role in giving the Pheasant Tail a distinct look and nicely ties the pattern together.

Step Five:

Pheasant tail fly tied on green hook in vise, brown pheasant fibers and copper ribbing for fly fishing nymph pattern

The wing section uses the pheasant tail material as well. Clip off six strands about the length of the shank. Tie them on at the center of the hook and cut the upward-facing fiber off.

Step Six:

Pheasant tail fly in vise with brown pheasant tail fibers, peacock herl green dubbing body and copper wire ribbing

Next, take two strands of peacock herl material, tie them below the hook's eye, and wrap the thread to where the herl meets the wings. Next, run the herl to the eye and secure the material by trying a half-hitch.

Step Seven:

Pheasant tail fly with copper-brown tail, peacock herl thorax and silver bead head on hook in metal vise, fly fishing

For the final step, pull the wings over the herl and tie them off at the eye. Next, break the fibers back and run the thread around each strand a few times. Secure the pattern with a whip finish, and the Pheasant Tail is ready to hit the water!

Written by

Stephen D' Angelo

Stephen D'Angelo is a fly fishing expert with a passion for fly tying, gear, and time on the water. From small-stream trout to saltwater flats fishing, Stephen brings hands-on experience across a wide range of species and scenarios — and he's always happy to help you find the right setup for your next adventure.

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