The Pheasant Tail was developed by English riverkeeper Frank Sawyer in the mid-20th century for the chalk streams of the River Avon. Sawyer's original used only pheasant tail fibers and fine copper wire — no thread at all — to imitate the baetis nymphs his trout were feeding on. The American version, often credited to Al Troth, added a peacock herl thorax and a defined wing case and legs. That's the dressing most tiers know today, and it's the one we're tying here.
1. Thread base — Attach brown thread behind the eye and wrap a smooth base to the bend.
2. Tail — Tie in four to six pheasant tail fibers at the bend, one hook-gap in length.
3. Rib — Tie in a length of fine copper wire at the bend.
4. Abdomen — Twist the pheasant tail fibers slightly to rope them together and wind forward to the midpoint. Tie off, leaving the fiber tips pointing rearward to serve as the wing case later.
5. Counter-rib — Wind the copper wire forward over the abdomen in evenly spaced open spirals. Tie off and trim.
6. Thorax — Wind two or three peacock herls together to form a full, round thorax from the midpoint to behind the eye.
7. Wing case — Pull the rearward-pointing pheasant fiber tips forward over the thorax and tie down firmly behind the eye. Trim excess.
8. Head — Build a small, neat head. Whip finish and apply head cement.
Isonychia bicolor
