From Swift River, Ma. The Lost Valley's Tailwater by Christophe Perez in Eastern Fly Fishing Magazine, January/February 2014
Yvon Chouinard of Patagonia fame believed so much in this pattern that he went on a quest to catch as many fish species as he could with that pattern by just varying the size. Frank Sawyer, it's creator, made it utterly simple to tie with just pheasant tail fibers and copper ribbing. It's always been my opinion that the simplest flies are the best and if they are made with natural materials all the better.
Pheasant Tail Nymph
Hook - I like a wet fly hook from size 14 through 20 for most of these flies.
Tail and Body - I like olive dyed pheasant tail fibers and not just two or three of them but upwards to a half dozen of them. The key here is to tie in the tips on the long side which gives the fly, when wet, a long tapered profile just like the natural.
Thorax - a few turns of peacock
Rib - ultra fine copper wire wound over the pheasant tail and over the peacock thorax
No hackle required. Sawyer didn't use it so I won't either
Our Rivers
As I write the flows are:
Millers River - 675 cfs
Swift River - 479 cfs
Ware River - 214 cfs
EB - 296 cfs
WB of the Westfield - 156 cfs
This is all good news except I don't trust that EB figure because they still may be holding water back. Be careful if you venture out because it's still cold out. Find a safe spot and fish slow and deep. If you find a day in the forties hit the Y Pool for that winter caddis hatch. Salmon are beginning to hit the surface.
Book A trip
Don't wait!!!!!!!!
Note - I will be out of the country for a few days starting Sunday. I'll probably not hit my emails and texts until I'm "Under The Flag" again (or maybe I will). In any event I'll answer them in the order received.
Ken
10 comments:
Hope its warm and fishable enjoy The pt is the first fly I put on and usually change sizes before the pattern. Its a great brackish fly for the parker river if you change out the peacock for rabbit and brush it out. It then really not a pt but works great in size 8 10 and 12 looking like a grass shrimp. Sea run brookies browns love it as well as the white perch and the smelts are loving it now if you can find open water. Rain this weekend will help.
You are right about the PT as a great fly. Your beadheads work great on a Euronymph setup!
Love those flies, Ken. Simple and effective. Like you, I like bead heads for fast water and we certainly have that on the Swift right now, not that I have been fishing any. Last time out was three weeks ago.
I have been tying plenty of flies though which makes for a pleasant past time thinking of more hospitable days ahead.
Best Regards and think Spring,
Sam
Sam,
It's been 2 months since the shortest day which means one thing - SPRING IS ALMOST HERE!!
Anonymous 4:43,
Bead heads are the only thing that will make a euronymph setup work!
Tincup,
As long as you still have the pheasant tail then it's still a pheasant tail nymph, I guess.Brushing out the rabbit sounds like an old Polly Rosborough trick!!
Ken
so looking forward too the spring fishing on the millers. has anybody heard anymore on fishing the holtshire bridge section? will it be fishable with the connstruction or is it already done. going to take the thursday and friday off before the rat race to fish usually the millers drops those 2 days before it fills back up for the rat race. everybody enjoy the spring fishing thats coming up and most importantly be safe
BKell,
I have a feeling that this project will take the better part of a year. They (Ma DPW) may allow some fishing but not during working hours.
Ken
Have any of you tried Hitena Paranix VT tippet? I am looking for some experience from users before I make a purchase
Chico,
I have not heard a word about it. Maybe someone has.
Ken
Saw a demo of it at the fly fishing show. Looked interesting. Will buy a couple of spools to check it out and let you y'all know what I think.
Chico,
Thank you. Looking forward to it!
Ken
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