Since Frank Sawyer gave the Pheasant Tail the shape of a nymph, the simple design with feathers from the tail of a pheasant and fine copper wire has not stopped catching trout around the world.
The variants for the eternal PT are many, each one adapted to different waters, anglers or styles but alw View more...Since Frank Sawyer gave the Pheasant Tail the shape of a nymph, the simple design with feathers from the tail of a pheasant and fine copper wire has not stopped catching trout around the world.
The variants for the eternal PT are many, each one adapted to different waters, anglers or styles but always simple and pure in its lines as the original, at least the effective ones.
If I had to fish the rest of my life with one only nymph, almost surely pick the PT, although the Prince would be tough competition. Today’s variant is the result of many tests in the river trying different adaptations in waters very different from the Avon river where Sawyer was a riverkeeper.
The tungsten in the head sinks fast and has a lively color that makes it more visible in early season when the water is not very clear, the red ribbing has the same effect. A delicate ring of a UV light reflecting material adds something that naturals have, the capacity of reflecting UV light. That is the sign of something that is alive.
To finish the fly I looked for a streamlined silhouette as in the original, and curved competition hook that is unbeatable for hooking fish. I have had great results with curved nymphs and they don’t tangled on the bottom as much as straight ones.
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List of materials
Hook: Wide gap, competition hook.
Thread: 6/0 hot orange, 8/0 brown.
BEAD HEAD: 2.8 mm hot orange, tungsten, for size 12 hooks.
Tail: Coq de Leon fibers.
Ribbing 1: red copper wire.
Ribbing 2: Krystal Flash UV pearl.
Body: pheasant tail hackle fibers.
Thorax: Hareline ICE DUBBING UV, brown.
Steps
Step 1
Use the 6/0 hot orange thread to make a base to fit the tungsten head.
Step 2
Use cianoacrilate to glue it.
Step 3
Form the tail with the Coq de león fibers.
Step 4
Tie a fiber of Krystal Flash UV pearl and the copper wire up to the tail edge.
Step 5
Use 4 pheasant tails to make the body. From back to front, without twisting them.
Step 6
Wrap the Krystal flash UV, use 5 turns, then the same with the copper wire but in the opposite direction to reinforce the fly.
Step 7
Use some ICE DUBBING UV brown for the tórax.
Step 8
Use whip finish, 5 to 6 turns against the bead head, cement carefully the thread only. Our UV HOT HEAD PT is ready for the river.
