Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail

The Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail is my favorite fly! It can be fished on tailwater and freestone rivers. The Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail imitates a variety of insects. Most people would say that it is a Mayfly Nymph, but it also imitates a small stonefly or caddis as well. The Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail is primarily a late spring and summer fly. This is when the mayflies are most active. It can be fished in a smaller size year around, even in the winter.

The Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail is a great fly when the mayflies are emerging or actively free floating in the current. When a mayfly nymph is in the current, it spreads it's legs out wide and floats helplessly. This is where the soft hackle on the Pheasant Tail comes into play. When the pheasant tail is wrapped around the hook, the fibers stand up, thus giving it the appearance of having the gills on the body (as seen in the picture to the right). The Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail can be tied in sizes #12-20 in order to imitate all types of mayflies. It is best when fished on a nymph rig or dropped below a dry fly as a dropper.

Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail Fly Tying Recipe:
Hook:#12-20 Daiichi 1560 or Tiemco 3761
Thread: Black Veevus 12/0
Thorax: Peacock Herl
Body: Pheasant Tail
Rib: Copper Small Wire
Collar: Hungarian Partridge