Jump to content
Fly Tying
Fish For Life

Pheasant tail nymph without legs

Recommended Posts

How important do you believe the legs are on a pheasant tail nymph? Would it be that big of a deal to just leave them out? Its just that i times i seam to really struggle tying them in and get rather frustrated over them. Besides, from what i can see when they get wet they just lay flat on the body anyways. Do you think that any fish in a current would actually notice them not being there? Or do you feel that they do in fact play a somewhat crucial role in the fly?

 

Thanls

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

they can be easy to tie in as they are simply the tips of the wing case fibers, divided and tied down on each side. easy technique to learn

 

 

i tie pheasant tails without the legs and fish dont seem to mind

 

frank sawyers originals didnt have legs and worked just fine

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I think there will be times that fish prefer either way. But the bigger issue is if you struggle with tying in the material that forms the legs then that very action is what you need to address in order to advance your capabilities. Maybe check out some videos on how to do this and the mystery of why you aren't succeeding at it might leave .

 

Now that said, I've caught way more fish on the Gold Ribbed Hares than I ever did on the pheasant tail. And that has no added legging material you just pluck out some guard hairs from the thorax dubbing.

 

Check out this video for some extra ammo: https://youtu.be/x9hA8wMwTWk

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

How important do you believe the legs are on a pheasant tail nymph? Would it be that big of a deal to just leave them out? Its just that i times i seam to really struggle tying them in and get rather frustrated over them. Besides, from what i can see when they get wet they just lay flat on the body anyways. Do you think that any fish in a current would actually notice them not being there? Or do you feel that they do in fact play a somewhat crucial role in the fly?

 

Thanls

It depends on what you're using them for. The original PT nymph had no legs, by design. Sawyer intend it to represent a swimming baetis nymph, which swims with its leg tucked tightly against it side. Legs were not only wrong, but they kept the fly from sinking quickly, which was important in his way of fishing it. (The "induced take" method.) If you're going to be using the fly that way, don't use legs.

 

The PT as usually tied in this country is somewhat more generic fly in that it represents more than just baetis nymphs, and is usually fished dead drift. In that case, legs aren't wrong, but if you think moving legs are important in a given situation, then why aren't you fishing a PT soft hackle?

 

I see no reason to ever put legs on a pheasant tail nymph.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Basically, this is a discussion on what fish see.

If you believe they can see the details on a size 26 fly, then they can absolutely determine "edibility" based on legs on a nymph.

If you believe they try to eat any close approximation of natural forage, then legs are to catch fishermen, not fish.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I struggle with the same problem. My problem is getting them split and getting them on each side of the hook.

You can get as ingenious as you want about this, you aren't stuck with just fingers. That being the case a bodkin or sewing needled works well to get the fibers separated. A sharp pencil might even work. So separate one side and trap those fibers with your finger against the shank, then take your thumb and sweep the rest back, for instance , and tie them down. Or use the method I posted about the partridge feather. Here:

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

"Besides, from what i can see when they get wet they just lay flat on the body anyways".

 

So are you looking at these wet legs in the water or out of the water ? I ask because when a fly is wet and out of water they generally look nothing like in the water.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

ive caught hundreds of fish on a pheasant tail with no legz. I picked up lively legz. small rubber molded legs and they just crush them. Ive notice a 3:1 catch ratio. I tested to see if the few extra seconds and cost of tying them in was worth. I tested them both as anchors and droppers fished tandem with a traditional no leg pheasant tail and the picked the one with legs 66% of the time.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Instead of trying to split the pheasant fibers left over from the wing case for legs, try adding a wrap or two of a CDC feather or a soft hackle feather at the head before pulling the wing case forward, then cut the pheasant flush. That is if you want legs on the fly. CDC is my favorite.

 

Joe

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

On small pheasant tails, handling the short leg fibers can be a challenge. On sizes smaller than about 14, I find it easier to use a game bird feather and tie it in as you would for a Copper John. For really small sizes, I just omit the legs.

 

Charlie Craven ties the legs in long and then trims them. I don't care for that look but I'm sure they work fine.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I never was very good at getting the legs right on a PT nymph. I just tie them as soft hackles, with just a peacock thorax, no wing case.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

ive caught hundreds of fish on a pheasant tail with no legz. I picked up lively legz. small rubber molded legs and they just crush them. Ive notice a 3:1 catch ratio. I tested to see if the few extra seconds and cost of tying them in was worth. I tested them both as anchors and droppers fished tandem with a traditional no leg pheasant tail and the picked the one with legs 66% of the time.

 

 

Hey Bowmike,

Can you post a picture of your pheasant tail with rubber legs? Is there a particular color and brand that works best for you?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...

×
×
  • Create New...