Beginner’s Fly Tying: Bead Head Pheasant-Tailed Nymph

Seeing that winter is nearly over, and there are more aquatic insect food forms available in our streams and rivers, local fish will begin to more aggressively take some of the larger emerging insects. It’s also time for both beginner and more advanced fly tiers to stock up on some of the standard flies which each of us should carry in our fly boxes, particularly if we plan to try new freshwater fisheries.

Bead Head Pheasant-Tailed Nymph

For decades Frank Sawyer’s Pheasant Tailed (PT) Nymph has been listed as one of the top dozen flies to carry in one’s fly box. And while my fly box is never without a PT Nymph, I have repeatedly found that the addition of a metallic bead head in front of the thorax of the fly makes the pattern more effective. As such, I’ve selected two variants of the Bead Head PheasantTailed Nymph for our March Beginner’s Fly Tying class. Join us at 7:00 PM on March 21st at Trinity United Methodist Church.

IMPORTANT: For newcomers who plan to attend this session, please contact us in advance to ensure I have tying equipment available for you.

By Don Fine