CDC Pheasant Tail Jig Nymph

CDC Pheasant Tail Jig Nymph

I've never been one to jump on the new fly-tying fad bandwagon. I tend to live up to my old-school reputation and stick with what works for me. I mean, how many ways can you tye a pheasant tail, right? Well, I've learned at least one more.

In my humble opinion, the addition of a copper bead, flashback, and eventually a CDC collar made the simple Pheasant Tail one of the most versatile and productive patterns in my fly box. That evolution took place over many years as material suppliers and commercial tyers experimented with new trends, making believers of us locked in, ok I'll say it, the past. 

Now with the popularity of jig-style hooks, my old school pattern has a new life as a fish grabbing new age rockstar. This upgrade is a little easier to take because my favorite spring and fall nymph pattern looks the same, it just fishes better. The addition of the new jig hooks helps keep this bug buttoned to the lip of those rocketing Redsides I love to chase. My personal experiences with these hooks have me rethinking some of my old-school favorites and shopping around for a flat-brim trucker hat. Ok, maybe not the hat.

Hook-Size 12-16 Daichii 4640 Jig Hook or other jig-style hook

Bead- Slotted Tungsten copper bead to fit

Thread- 8/0 Brown

Lead wire- .010 lead wire 3-6 wraps

Tail- Pheasant Tail Fibers

Body- Pheasant Tail Fibers

Rib- Fine copper wire

Thorax- Peacock Herl

Wing Case- Mylar tinsel

Finish- Cover the wing case in Loon Flow UV resin

Collar- CDC feather