Week 22... Sawyer Pheasant Tail Nymph...

Let's see some Sawyer PT Nymphs! They're unusual, given the thread is replaced with copper wire. Still, it is an excellent nymph and fun to tie.

Here's a link to the tying instructions:

http://www.fresnoflyfishers.org/fly_tying/flyofthemonth/dec_07.pdf

Well, here it is. My first try at a Sawyer.



I modified it a little with a copper colored tungsten bead. Working with wire instead of thread was a little different. I found it difficult to get the wire as tight as I would like it. The hook is a #16 Cabelas traditional nymph hook.

I did manage to get a fairly decent picture of it at least...thanks Teach.

Hook: #16 DiRiki Nymph
Wire: Copper wire from a discarded lamp
Tail, Thorax, Wing Case: Pheasant Tail

I read where he used wire from a relay coil. I like that the folks who started these patterns used what they could scrounge

Relay coil. Teach, that ought to be right up your ally. Nice fly.

Wow guys! That nymph must sink like a rock! How does it cast? I always seem to have a real problem when I try to cast a tandem nymph rig and some weight on the line. Not that I would add weight to this fly's leader.... it looks like you would have trouble keeping it from lodging in the rocks on the bottom of the stream/river as it is.

Cool fly!!

That's the first one I've ever tied, so I haven't tried it out yet. You're right though, it ought to sink link a rock.

Heavier flies and tandems can be a little trickier. I usually slow my casting motion down, and let the weight propel the fly(s) rather than the casting motion itself. If that makes sense. Its mostly a matter of figuring out the right adjustments.

I've tied several of these lately. Tying with wire is much different than tying with thread of course, but the difference makes it fun.

I fished these flies in a #16 Sunday afternoon. They are not that heavy. I had to add lead to the leader to get down into the runs. I would definitely take your creations to the river and try them

1/2" strike indicator ball, lead , and nymph can be tricky to cast. It's better to roll cast or lob them. Sometime a over head cast can lead to disaster.

I can see your point how a roll cast would be better. I really need to work on my roll cast because the abomination that I toss as one leaves much to be desired. I always wanted to develop a roll cast that would toss one of those tight loops that roll across the water and flip your leader over. Of course that would require practice... heaven forbid.