American Pheasant Tail - Trout Fly Tying for Beginners

A true classic fly pattern, the Pheasant Tail nymph originated in England in the 1930s and came over to America in the 1950s and has been a favorite fish catcher ever since. The American Pheasant Tail is one of the easiest flies to learn to tie and no trout fisherman should be without a few of these in their fly box.

Hook: Nymph, #14-18
Weight: 0.015 or 0.020 diameter
Thread: Brown
Tail: Pheasant tail fibers
Rib: Copper wire
Body: Pheasant tail fibers
Thorax: Peacock herl
Wingcase: Pheasant tail fibers
Legs: Pheasant tail fibers

Savage Flies is a project (named after one of my homewaters, the Savage River in Western Maryland, US). I've been trout fishing for many years but have only been tying for the last couple and am learning more every week. If you have any pointers on techniques that would help, I would love to hear them in the comments.