Paul's May 2025 Fly of the Month

 Black Pheasant Tail Nymph

Hook:  Jig Hook, Sizes #14 to #18.

Bead:  Slotted Tungsten Bead, color of choice, sized to match hook size.

Thread:  Black 6/0 or 8/0 Thread.

Tail:  3-8 Black Dyed Pheasant Tail Fibers.

Rib:  Fine Gold Wire.

Body:  Black Dyed Pheasant Tail Fibers.

Collar/Thorax/Hot Spot:  Pink Ice Dub.

There are some flies that are relatively easy to tie that are extremely effective.  This is one of them.  Tyers can find Pheasant Tail Feathers in a variety of dyed colors. I’ve tied PT’s in olive, orange, and yellow.  For me, one of the most productive colored PT’s I’ve used has been in Black.  Another thing noticeable about this PT is that I’ve found no need to place legs on this nymph.  You can knock out a lot of these flies fast.

To tie this fly start by placing the Bead on your hook.  Start your thread behind the bead.  After making 6-8 securing wraps, cut off the tag end.  Continue wrapping your thread down the hook shank to the bend.  Depending on the size of your fly, prepare 3-8 Black Peasant Tail Fibers for your Tail.  I use 6-8 Fibers for a Size #14 fly, and 3 Fibers for a Size #18.  Tie in your tail.  It should be approximately a hook gap in length beyond the bend of the hook.  Do not cut off the butt ends of the fibers.  That’s going to become your Body.  After making a few securing wraps for your tail, make a half dozen wraps forward on the tail fibers.  Now fold them rearward and bring your thread back over them to the initial tail tie in point.  Next, tie in your Fine Gold Wire for your Rib.  

After tying in your rib, advance your thread forward and leave it behind the bead. Next, create the body of the nymph by taking the butt ends of your Pheasant tail fibers and wrapping them forward with touching wraps.  Tie them off behind the bead.  Cut off any excess butt end fibers.  Next, rib your fly with your Gold Wire, making spiral wraps up the body.  Tie it off behind the bead.  For your Collar/Hot Spot, create a slim and small dubbing noddle with Pink Ice Dub.  With your dubbing noodle, take 2-3 wraps behind the bead.  Finally, tie and whip finish your fly behind the bead.

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 .

Paul's April 2025 Bonus Fly of the Month

 Sulphur Perdigon

Hook:  Gamakatsu J20 Jig Nymph Hook Size #14. 

Tying thread:   Danville 6/0 Yellow.

Bead:  Slotted Tungsten Gold Bead 3.0 mm.

Weight:  .020 Lead or lead free wire, 4-5 wraps behind the bead.

Tail:  Mallard Flank Feather fibers died Wood Duck.

Rib: Ultra small wire Gold.

Abdomen/Body:  Golden Brown or Tan Antron Yarn . 

Throrax:  Yellow Thread.

Wingcase:  Black UV resin or Nail Polish.

This fly is a ‘mainstay’ in my perdigon arsenal.  You can tie and fish it in sizes #14-#16.  As with all perdigon’s it gets down through the water column quickly. 

To tie this fly, de-barb your hook, place your bead on it, and your hook in the vice.  Next, take 5-6 touching wraps around the hook shank.  Add a drop of Zap-a-gap to the lead wraps and slide/butt it up against the bead to lock it in place.  Remove any protruding remnants of wire.  Start your thread behind the lead and wrap back to the bend, then back over the lead.  Prepare 5-6 Mallard Feather Fibers for your tail.  Tie them in for your tail.  They should extend approximately a ‘hook gap’ length.  Once tied in trim off the butt ends of the fibers.

Next, tie in your Gold Wire Rib and leave the butt end extending off the rear of the hook.  Now with your thread, create an even tapered under body for your nymph.  You are now going to tie in your Brown/Tan Antron Yarn.  Tie it in behind the bead and wrap it with your thread all the way down to the rear of the hook shank.  Bring your thread up behind the bead.  Wrap your Antron Yarn forward and tie it off leaving room for a Yellow Thread Thorax behind the bead.  After creating your Thorax, coat the nymph with UV Resin & cure it.  Next, create your wing case by adding a drop of Black UV Resin to the top of the bead and Thorax.  Cure it and your fly is complete.

Trident Fly Fishing has a great instructional video 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 .