Hot Spot Pheasant Tail Nymph
Materials
- Hook — Jig hook size 12-18 (Hanak H400 BL or TMC 2499 SP-BL)
- Bead — Tungsten slotted 2.8mm (16-18) or 3.2mm (12-14) gold/copper
- Thread — UTC 70 denier brown or olive
- Tail — 4-6 pheasant tail fibers natural
- Body — Pheasant tail fibers (same bundle as tail)
- Rib — Fine copper wire (UTC Brassie size small)
- Thorax — Peacock herl 2-3 strands
- Hot spot — UV pink/orange/chartreuse/red Ice Dub or floss
Tying steps
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Slot bead onto jig hook with slot facing rear and start thread behind bead with short base back to bend
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Strip 4-6 pheasant tail fibers and tie in as tail (one hook gap length) at back of bend with butts pointing forward - tie in copper rib at same point
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Twist pheasant tail butts together gently and wrap forward in tight touching turns to about 2/3 of shank then tie off and trim
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Counter-wrap copper wire forward over body in 4-5 evenly spaced open turns and helicopter to break
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Tie in 2-3 peacock herl strands at front of body and twist around thread to form rope then wrap forward leaving 1.5mm gap before bead
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Apply pinch of UV Ice Dub in gap and wrap two tight turns as hot spot collar then whip finish at bead
Notes
Bridge between Sawyer's original Pheasant Tail and the modern Frenchie. Hot spot color: UV pink/orange for clear water, chartreuse for stained.