The Pheasant Tail Nymph and the Baetis Nymph
occupy more space in my nymph box than any other
nymph patterns. Tying them with the option of
fishing them as dry flies has enlarged that space
considerably. However, I don't tie them with an
elk-hair underbody. My latest version is to make
the bodies of both nymphs from stripped and dyed
rooster heck hackle quills. An underbody of elk
hair creates too much bulk on these slender-bodied
nymphs. They lose their gill-like appearance of a
dubbed or pheasant tail fiber abdomen, but the
loosely dubbed thorax area seems to make up for it.
All flies tied with quill bodies are naturally
bouyant and can be fished on the surface all day
if a good-quality fly floatant has been applied.
The waterproofed quill-bodied nymph will float on
the surface film or can be fished at any depth in
the water column by adding a little lead substitute
putty 14 to 16 inches up on the leader tippet. ~ A. K. Best
Please check out the Fly Tying Section, on the Bulletin Board, here at FAOL too.
If you have any questions, tips, or techniques; send them to
publisher@flyanglersonline.com
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