CDC Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail

This month's pattern is the CDC soft hackle Pheasant Tail. The soft hackle version of this most popular nymph pattern is perhaps one of the most versatile flies you can store in your flybox. It can imitate a wide range of hatching mayflies and fished at any depth in the water column. I find it very effective in the spring as the first Hendricksons and March Browns are starting to hatch. It should be swung down and across the current and raised up at the end of the swing. The tug that can result is awesome.

Recipe

Hook - 2x long nymph

Thread - Brown

Tail - pheasant tail fibers

Body - pheasant tail fibers( 5 for larger and down to 3 for size 18)

Rib - small to x- small cooper wire

Thorax - 3 Peacock herl

Wingcase - pheasant tail fibers

Hackle - natural CDC feather, palmered