Bead Head Pheasant Tail Ostrich Herl (BHPTOH)

It is a basic nymph pattern based on the traditional Pheasant Tail. I've been tying it for about 3-4 years and it is highly successful.  I nymph fish most of the time and probably catch 75% of my fish on this fly.  I generally use it as the dropper fly in a two fly serial connection.  It works throughout the year.

Instructions:

   * I use a Tiemco 3761 size 16 or a Tiemco 3769 size 14

   * Crimp barb on hook, slide on mini (smallest size available 3/32 oz) copper bead, small hole towards eye of hook.

   * Select 6-8 dark reddish brown pheasant tail fibers.  (dyed olive also works)

   * Attach pheasant tail fibers and small piece of copper wire just above bend of hook

   * Wind thread back to bend of hook keeping copper wire off to one

     side.

   * Wind pheasant fibers back to bend of hook then forward to back of bead, tie off and trim.

   * Wind copper wire forward opposite pheasant fibers reinforcing the pheasant fibers, tie off and trim.

   * Select black ostrich herl fiber and stroke so individual fibers are perpendicular to stem.  Tie in just behind bead, wrap about 3 times, tie off and trim.

   * Whip finish just behind bead, apply cement if desired.