Pheasant Tail CDC Bead Fly

Overview

The Pheasant Tail CDC Bead is an Umpqua bead-head version of the Pheasant Tail Nymph, the classic created by English river keeper Frank Sawyer. Umpqua lists it for Baetis (Blue-Winged Olive) water.

The Pheasant Tail works almost everywhere because pheasant tail fibers have the color and fine segmentation of countless mayfly nymphs. A bead adds weight and a little flash, and a CDC collar breathes in the current like legs, making the fly look alive even on a dead drift.

Euro Specs

• Role: Dropper, or a light point fly in shallow water.

How to Fish It

• Indicator rig: trail it 12 to 18 inches behind a heavier nymph.
• Euro or tight-line: run it on the dropper above a tungsten anchor fly.
• Dry-dropper: hang it under a foam dry in riffles.
• BWO season: spring and fall are prime, but Baetis nymphs drift all year.

Choosing Color and Size

This listing is size 16, a good match for larger Baetis and many other small mayfly nymphs.