1. Attach a hook to the vise. I am using a size 16, TMC 3761 nymph hook with a 3/32 Copper Bead. Mash down the barb with the vise , then attach the bead. |
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2. Secure a leadfree wire to the shank behind the bead and wrap 6-7 times to fill the void of the bead and designate the thorax region. |
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3.Secure the leadfree wire with thread wraps and wrap the thread to the start of the hook bend. |
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4. Clip about 4-6 fibers from a Pheasant Tail. Select a section in which the tips are light in color and the dark area is further down the fibers. |
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5. Separate the fibers and even the tips. | ||
6. Attach the fiber tips to the bend of the hook creating a tail that is about a hook gap in length. Two tight wraps will hold the fibers in place. Bring the thread in front of the fibers and wrap up to the leadfree wire. |
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7. Attach a small copper wire to the bottom of the hook shank at the base of the leadfree wire wraps and secure the copper wire along the shank to the pheasant fibers. |
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8. Bring the thread behind the pheasant fibers to the base of the tail tie-in position. |
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9. Wrap the fibers around the thread creating a rope. |
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10. Wrap the fibers with the thread core evenly up the abdomen to the thorax area. Secure with thread wraps. | ||
11. Wrap the copper wire ribbing forward with about 5 turns and secure the wire wraps at the thorax region with tight thread wraps. Trim off the tag end by "helicoptering" the wire tag until it breaks off. |
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12. Select another section of pheasant tail fibers, about the width of the hook gap. Trim the end of the section near the tips. |
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13. Place the trimmed tip portion of the fibers behind the bead and secure with thread wraps covering all of the thorax region. |
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14. Attach two peacock herls by the tips to just behind the bead. Secure with thread wraps to the base of the thorax region. |
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15. Wrap the herls around the thread creating a chenille. |
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16. Herl is very delicate and it is easier to wrap around the thorax by using a rotary vise. Wrap the herl forward with touching wraps, not overlapping. Secure behind the bead with thread wraps. | ||
17. Pull the Pheasant Fiber wingcase forward over the herl and secure with thread wraps behind the bead. |
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18. Separate about 3-4 fibers from each side of the wingcase tag end and position the fibers on each side of the thorax. Trim off the excess fibers that you didn't separate just at the base of the bead. |
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19. Secure with thread wraps at the base of the bead and trim the fibers to the same length as the thorax. |
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20. Apply some thin UV fly finish to the wingcase for durability. |
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21. Use a UV lamp to set the finish. | ||
22. Apply a whip finish just behind the bead. The finished BH Pheasant Tail Nymph. |
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