Paul's January 2026 Fly of the Month

 Trout Killer Nymph

(A Pheasant Tail Variation)

Hook:  Curved Nymph/Caddis Hook Size #14. 

Tying thread:   UTC 70 Black.

Bead:  Tungsten Copper Bead 3.0 mm.

Weight:  .020 Non-lead wire.

Shell Back:  White or Yellow Turkey Biot.

Abdomen/Body:  3-4 Pheasant Tail Fibers.

Rib: Copper Ultra small wire.

Thorax:  2-3 Wraps of Peacock Herl or Peacock Dubbing.

Hot Spot:  Red Thread.

This is another variation of a Pheasant Tail Nymph. If you fish heavily presuured TMA’s like I do, sometimes a fly that’s a little bit different can help trigger successful days on the water.  I’ll tie this fly using White, Yellow, and Golden Biots.

To tie the Trout Killer, begin by placing your bead on your hook.  Once secured in your vice, take 8-10 wraps of Non-lead wire around the hook shank.  Slide the wraps up against the back of the bead.  With your thread take wraps behind and over the wire to lock it in place.  Bring your thread down the hook shank down the bend. The thread will cover what will become the body of the fly.

Return your thread behind the bead and tie in your Copper Wire Rib. Wrap it down to the bend of the hook.  Repeat the process tying in a Turkey Biot by the tip.  Again, wrapping down to the bend of the hook.  Next, tie in your Pheasant Tail Fibers by the tips.  The butt ends should extend off the curved back end of the hook.  Return your thread up the hook shank and leave it about a ‘bead length’ behind the bead.

Take your Pheasant Tail fibers and make ‘touching’ wraps forward to create your abdomen.  Tie them off with your thread, then trim off the butt ends.  Next, bring your Turkey Biot forward to create a ‘Shell Back’ on the nymph.  To secure it in place, use your Copper Wire by making spiral wraps around the body and Shell Back.  When you get to your thread location, lift the Biot and take a wrap or two of wire in front of it.  Tie it off and helicopter off the excess wire.  Tie and cut off your thread behind the bead.

Start and secure your Red Thread behind the bead. Take a couple Peacock Herl fibers and tie them in behind the bead.  Take 3-4 wraps to create your Thorax.  Tie and cut off the butt ends.  Now bring the tag end of your Biot forward to create a wing case.  Tie it off behind the bead.  Trim off any excess extending over the bead.  Finally, take wraps behind the bead with your red thread to create a ‘hot spot’.  Whip finish, cut off your thread and apply some head cement if desired. 

Shota Flies has a great video on how to tie this nymph below:

If you have any questions about this fly or would like to submit a Fly of The Month I can be reached at pdinice@frontier.com .