Pheasant Tail Flashback Slim Fly

Overview

The Pheasant Tail Slim Flashback is a thin, small-water version of Frank Sawyer's classic Pheasant Tail Nymph. Umpqua lists it for the Blue-Winged Olive (Baetis) hatch.

Baetis nymphs are slender swimmers, and a bulky nymph looks wrong to trout that see thousands of them. This pattern keeps the pheasant tail body thin and adds a flashback wing case. The flash suggests the gas bubble a nymph traps under its wing case before hatching and gives fish a reason to notice a small fly in clear water.

How to Fish It

• Indicator rig: fish it as the trailing fly 12 to 18 inches behind a heavier nymph on 6X tippet.
• Before the hatch: drift it through riffles and runs in the hours before BWOs start hatching, when nymphs are active.
• Dry-dropper: hang it under a small parachute dry when fish are taking emergers just under the surface.
• Seasons: BWOs hatch in spring and fall, often on cloudy days, so carry it through the cooler months.

Choosing Color and Size

Choose 20 for most Baetis hatches and slightly faster water, and 22 for small naturals, flat tailwater runs and fish that have seen a lot of flies.