Euro NymphsEuro Pheasant Tail

A variant of the traditional Pheasant Tail nymph, the Euro Pheasant Tail incorporates a tungsten bead to get the fly deep quickly. This pattern is highly effective in fast moving water and is a go-to for many European-style nymph fishers.

Season
Year Round
Difficulty
Intermediate
Target Species
Trout
Euro Pheasant Tail - Image source: Crazy About Fly Fishing
Image source: Crazy About Fly Fishing

Overview

A streamlined take on the traditional Pheasant Tail Nymph, this version uses a barbless jig hook, copper ribbing, a tungsten bead, and a pheasant tail body. Often tied with a bright collar or hotspot to increase visibility and trigger strikes.

Pattern Characteristics

Intermediate Difficulty
Trout
Moving Water
Year Round
Imitates: Mayflies
Variant of: Pheasant Tail

Materials

Hook: Hanák H 400BL, size #12–#16
Head: Slotted tungsten bead, 3mm, black.
Thread: 8/0 or 70 Denier, fluorescent orange.
Tail: Medium Pardo Coq de Leon fibers.
Rib: Ultra Wire, small, copper.
Body: Pheasant tail fibers, dyed dark-brown.
Thorax/legs: Dubbing blend—2 parts gray-squirrel fur to 1 part rabbit dubbing.

Fishing Tips

Season

Year Round

Presentation

Dead drift in fast moving water

When to Use

When mayflies are present in the water

Water Type

Best in rivers and streams

Rigging Suggestions

Use with a Euro nymphing setup

Visibility & Floatation

This fly sinks quickly and stays deep, making it ideal for fast currents. The UV resin adds a hint of shine to catch a trout's eye.

Additional Videos