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Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail Nymph

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How to tie the Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail Nymph Trout Fly Tying Pattern

The Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail Nymph is a great little fly for shallow creeks and streams. It imitates a number of aquatic insect prey items, most notably mayfly nymphs. Some say it is also good for fishing during caddis and stonefly activity. I like to fish this fly during the late spring and into the summer in larger sizes, and in small sized flies in colder weather.

I like to use jungle cock body feathers on this pattern, but any soft hackle feather should work well. Hungarian partridge or starling feathers make nice legs on soft hackle nymphs. If you need a deeper fly, you can add a little weight under the peacock herl, or include a bead head.

The legs, or collar, of the Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail Nymph, help to give the fly it's mayfly nymph silhouette and when the fly flows with the current, the legs come away from the body to add some motion to the pattern. The fly makes an excellent dropper fly on multi-fly rigs.

Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail Nymph Fly Tying Recipe
Hook: Mustad S60-3399A #8-#16
Thread: 6/0 dark olive
Tail: Pheasant tail
Rib: Fine copper wire
Abdomen: Pheasant tail
Thorax: Peacock herl
Collar: Hungarian partridge or jungle cock body

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