Cruncher Hot Spot Pheasant Tail
Hook: Nymph hook; or curved nymph hook of choice
size #12 to #18.
Bead: (Optional) Gold bead or bead of choice to
match the size of hook.
Tying
thread: Black 8/0 thread.
Tail: Dyed Black Pheasant tail fibers.
Rib: Copper - small wire. I like to use red wire.
Abdomen: Wrapped Pheasant tail fibers.
Thorax/neck: Red Holographic Tinsel.
Hackle/legs: Dyed Black Partridge or Dyed Black Hen Hackle.
This
is yet another variation of a pheasant tail nymph. The advances in fly tying materials in recent
years is truly remarkable. You can
easily purchase Pheasant Tail Feathers dyed in a variety of colors. Although this pattern is effective all year
long, it is deadly when if it is fished during the ‘early black stone hatch’ in
late winter and early spring. You can
tie this fly on a curved nymph hook, with or without a bead, and with Partridge
or Hen for the hackle.
To
tie this fly, begin by wrapping the shank of the hook with your thread. (I have also tied this pattern with a bead
and more as a deep water nymph.) Tie in
three (3) Pheasant tail fibers for the tail.
They should be roughly a hook shank gap in length. Tie in your small copper wire rib. Next, depending on the size of the fly, tie
in 2-4 more pheasant tail fibers by the tip.
Wrap them forward approximately 2/3rds down the hook shank to form the
abdomen. Tie and clip the excess
off. Counter rib your fly with the
wire. Tie and clip it off. Next, for your hot spot, tie in your
Holographic Red Tinsel. You are going to
wrap the tinsel to create a ‘hot spot’ on your fly. To increase durability, you may want to dab a
drop of head cement to the hook shank prior to wrapping it. Give the tinsel 3 turns around the hook
shank, then tie and clip it off. Between
the ‘hot spot’ and the hook eye (or bead) there should be enough room to tie in
and wrap your hackle. If I want a
traditional wet fly profile I use Partridge.
For smaller or nymph type variations I use Hen Hackle. After tying in your hackle of choice, take
2-3 wraps around the hook shank, stroking the feather fibers back while your
wrapping. Tie and clip the hackle
off. Whip finish your fly and apply some
head cement.
There
is an excellent video on how to tie this fly which was posted By Mak below:
If
you have any questions about this fly or would like to submit a Fly of the
Month I can be reached at 203 305-3850 or at pdinice@frontier.com .
