Pheasant Tail Nymph
Sawyer's original foundational nymph. Endlessly copyable, endlessly variable — with enough weight and the right rig, it fishes anywhere from the film to the gravel.
Fish this year-round as your main searching nymph in moderate to fast water. The weight sinks fast; the proportions work for mayfly, caddis, and stonefly nymphs.
Pheasant tail fibres are tough and translucent. Copper wire adds weight and triggers — this is the simplest, most reliable nymph ever tied.
Starting points, not rules — depth, presentation and size usually matter more.
Start with the natural brown version in clear water or during a mayfly hatch. Try a red, orange or pink hot spot in cold, coloured or turbulent water, or when just searching. Switch back to an unflashy natural version if trout follow without taking, or refuse a brighter one.
Usually drifted below the surface, but can fish higher or much deeper depending on rigging and weight.
- Long leader dry-line driftSubsurfaceFishes relatively high in the water on a floating line and long leader.floating linelong leaderlight unweighted dressing
- Indicator nymphingSubsurfaceClassic American nymph rig with an indicator set for depth.floating lineyarn or foam indicatorbeaded PT
- Tight-line bottom contactDeepGets down quickly with a direct angle and weighted dressing.euro leadertungsten beadshort-line contact
| default range | 12–18 |
| low water | 16–18 |
| high water | 12–14 |
| clear water | 16–18 |
| coloured water | 12–14 |
Original Sawyer version: fibres and copper wire only, no thread. Elegant.
