Pheasant Tail (natural)

The Pheasant Tail (natural) is one of the most widely fished nymph patterns in fly fishing, originally developed by Frank Sawyer to imitate the slim, olive-brown nymphs of mayflies. Its simple, slender profile makes it a reliable choice whenever trout are feeding below the surface.

The fly is tied with natural pheasant tail fibres for the tail, body and wing case, ribbed with fine copper wire for segmentation and durability, giving a natural, buggy look in the water. Unlike the Flashback version, it has no reflective strip over the thorax, so it presents a more subdued profile for clear water and selective fish.

Fish it dead-drifted under an indicator, on a Euro-nymphing rig, or as the dropper below a dry fly in rivers, and on a slow retrieve in stillwaters. A dependable all-season pattern for trout and grayling.