La Pheasant Tail Nymph is one of the most iconic and popular artificial flies in the world of fly fishing, thanks to its effectiveness and the simplicity of its dressing. It was created in the 1950s by Frank Sawyer, a famous British angler and gamekeeper from the River Avon in Wiltshire. Sawyer developed this imitation to catch trout and grayling on his river, using only pheasant tail feathers (hence the name) and thin copper wire as his main materials.
Sawyer's intention was to create a fly that imitated the nymphs of the Baetis, a type of ephemeral fly that is very common in European rivers, particularly in clear, slow-moving waters. The minimalist construction of the Pheasant Tail gives it a very natural appearance in the water, with a movement that mimics that of water nymphs. This artificial has quickly become popular with anglers around the world appreciated for its versatility and ability to catch fish in different fishing conditions.
Over the years, many variants of the Pheasant Tailsuch as the bead head version (tungsten or brass head), which allows it to reach greater depths, expanding its applications even further and making it a virtually indispensable fly in every fly box.
The Pheasant Tail is one of the first dressings that every fly fisherman should learn to make. This fly is fundamental not only for its simplicity of construction, being made from only two readily available materials - pheasant tail fibres and copper wire - but also for its extraordinary effectiveness in fishing. Pheasant Tail nymphs are a real guarantee of success: swap them for one of their many variations, and you will find that each one has a specific reason for use in particular conditions.
The versatility of the Pheasant Tail lies precisely in its ability to be easily modified, changing the size of the ball, the type of hook or adding small details that can make all the difference.
Another crucial aspect, which applies to all nymphs, is the construction in different ball and hook sizes. In fishing, the most influential variable is often the weight of the fly, which determines how fast it goes down the water column and how it presents itself to the fish. Constructing the Pheasant Tail in a range of weights will allow you to successfully tackle a variety of situations, from fast currents to slower waters, while always ensuring the right presentation of the fly. With the Pheasant Tail in your arsenal, you will be ready to take on any challenge the river presents.
