Turkey Tail Nymph

[ScottP]

In honor of all those gobblers who (literally) put their heads on the chopping block. A Pheasant Tail nymph in every other sense.

hook - Tiemco 200R #12
thread - Uni 8/0 camel
tail/abdomen - turkey tail fibers
rib - copper wire small
thorax -peacock herl
wingcase/legs - turkey tail fibers

Part 1


mash barb and attach thread





tie in wire on underside of hook; per Hans Wired Olive note the tag end on the far side of the bend





wrap wire back to point above hook barb; by keeping the wire on the far side, thread wraps automatically align the wire neatly on the underside of the hook (a big help if you're tying skinny-bodied flies where any unsightly bumps/lumps are magnified)





measure some turkey tail fibers (hook gap distance) and tie in





wrap turkey butts up to 60% mark, tie off and trim





wrap wire forward, tie down, helicopter to break and smooth over tag end





tie in 8-10 turkey tail fibers with tips extending over hook eye about 1/2 shank length; tyers with a keen sense of proportion can tie with the tips facing backwards, extending the proper distance to allow them to pull forward as the wingcase, then fold back as the legs and get them the right length every time. I can't so I cheat. I also like the fact that the butts make a bit of a meatier wingcase.





tie in some peacock herl





twist herl around tying thread





wrap herl forward and tie off 1 hook eye length back from eye