Experimental development (research completed)

[JG63]

Anyone who knows me knows that Frank Sawyer is my biggest influencer regarding subsurface fishing - from fly design to active presentation, his techniques have performed well for me in countless settings while angling for trout. I’m experimenting with a cross between a traditional Pheasant Tail nymph, a Killer Bug, and a pinch of Wyoming local favorite Half Back - results fit the first prototype are as pictured:

Hook: non curved #14
Tail: 4 Ringneck Pheasant tail fibers
Abdomen/Thorax: Chadwick’s 477 (substitute)
Back/Wingcase: Pheasant tail fibers
Rib/Weight: .02 Copper wire built up under thorax
Thread/Head: 6/0 GSP colored with bronze Sharpie

Stay tuned - sizes will get smaller based on overall “fishiness” and color changing when wet

 

[troutbert]

It looks very good.

The only suggestion I have is to use hackle fibers for tails, because pheasant tail quickly breaks off.

 

[JeffK]

Pheasant tails do break easily - but they also move when wet much better than stiff hackle fibers. It is always a trade-off. BTW, I do use hackle fibers for most of my PT's (found too many gone even in the fly box), but find PT a great tail for wet flies. The action makes a difference IMHO.

 

[salmo]

Anyone who knows me knows that Frank Sawyer is my biggest influencer regarding subsurface fishing - from fly design to active presentation, his techniques have performed well for me in countless settings while angling for trout. I’m experimenting with a cross between a traditional Pheasant Tail nymph, a Killer Bug, and a pinch of Wyoming local favorite Half Back - results fit the first prototype are as pictured:

Hook: non curved #14
Tail: 4 Ringneck Pheasant tail fibers
Abdomen/Thorax: Chadwick’s 477 (substitute)
Back/Wingcase: Pheasant tail fibers
Rib/Weight: .02 Copper wire built up under thorax
Thread/Head: 6/0 GSP colored with bronze Sharpie

Stay tuned - sizes will get smaller based on overall “fishiness” and color changing when wet

Wow, that really looks great.

 

[Nocktavius]

Looks great, but I hope you tied 2 dozen of them because in my hands that thing is a 1 and done.

 

[salmo]

It looks very good.

The only suggestion I have is to use hackle fibers for tails, because pheasant tail quickly breaks off.

CDL!

 

[JG63]

It looks very good.

The only suggestion I have is to use hackle fibers for tails, because pheasant tail quickly breaks off.

Thank you - I do remember the Compara-nymph March Brown pattern having that problem - so much for research 🙄

 

[Bamboozle]

I realize they won't move as much as pheasant fibers, but biots are bulletproof, probably move around as much as a natural nymph's tail and if you use two, would have a similar look to what you chose.

 

[JG63]

I realize they won't move as much as pheasant fibers, but biots are bulletproof, probably move around as much as a natural nymph's tail and if you use two, would have a similar look to what you chose.

Agreed - though I’m convinced after taking the skunk so many times with Prince nymphs and biot tailed stonefly patterns (pictured); that sometimes the biots can cause refusals

 

[JG63]

It looks very good.

The only suggestion I have is to use hackle fibers for tails, because pheasant tail quickly breaks off.

I have some Whiting Coq-de-Leon spade hackles that match the 477 substitute very nicely -
Multiple prototypes in the near future

 

[Bamboozle]

Agreed - though I’m convinced after taking the skunk so many times with Prince nymphs and biot tailed stonefly patterns (pictured); that sometimes the biots can cause refusals

Since I first learned about the Prince Nymph close to 20 years ago, I have probably caught more fish (wild & stocked & a smallmouth or two) on Prince Nymphs than any other fly in my box.

I guess must have access to less picky fish or softer biots... 😉

 

[JG63]

Since I first learned about the Prince Nymph close to 20 years ago, I have probably caught more fish (wild & stocked & a smallmouth or two) on Prince Nymphs than any other fly in my box.

I guess must have access to less picky fish or softer biots... 😉

I’m probably not holding my mouth right … a confidence thing I suppose 🤓

 

[rancid waders]

Good fly. I like the traditional PT tail.