Sawyer's Pheasant Tail Fly

About the Sawyer's Pheasant Tail Trout Fly

Frank Sawyer's pheasant tail has stood the test of time. From the south of England chalk streams, for where he created this design whilst working as "Keeper of the stream" on the Wiltshire Avon, to other rivers and streams across the world, it is a killer.

Sawyer induced the trout to the take. He would, spotting a fish, casting up stream and allowing the nymph to drift naturally down, twitch the rod tip upwards causing the nymph to rise temptingly in front of the fish to induce the take.

Expert Tip:

Frank Sawyer was a practical man, who reputedly created this fly using copper wire stripped from an old dynamo, a few pheasant tail fibres and a hook.

The simplicity of the design and materials and should teach us a valuable lesson as we sit before the vice surrounded by todays glittering array of fly tying equipment and materials - keeping it simple often works just as well, if not better.

Country of origin for this trout fly: England

This trout fly is designed to be fished on Rivers & Streams, Still Water

Pattern Dressings

• Hook : Size 10-16.
• Thread : Fine copper wire.
• Underbody : Build up of fine copper wire.
• Tail : Cock pheasant tail fibres, rich brown.
• Body : Cock pheasant tail fibres.
• Thorax : Cock pheasant tail fibres.
• Wing Case : Cock pheasant tail fibres.

The copper underbody can be varied according to the weight as required depending on the depth the fish are feeding and the rate of sink required according to the speed of the river's flow.