I chose the PTN for its simplicity and effectiveness. Thought about what tie for a long time, and finally decided on this pattern. Pretty easy for a beginner and works for all types of fish.
First wind a good thread base to the hook
Step 2
Then pull about 3 to 4 pheasant tail fibers and tie them in for the tail, some like to tie the tails in short, some long, I like mine a little on the short side. Also do not cut the tag left, this will be wrapped around the shank for part of the body.
Step 3
Take copper wire and tie it in stopping where the tail starts.
Step 4
Wind the tag end of the pheasant tail fibers 3/4 the way up hook shank and stop.
Step 5
Than you want to wrap the copper wire opposite the way you wrapped the pheasant tail fibers.
Step 6
Take about six fibers and tie those in, make sure that with the fibers tied in they should be as long as the hook shank, as shown in the picture below.
Step 7
Then take 2 peac#ck herls and tie those in back to the same spot that the wingcase(PT fibers) has stopped at.
Step 8
Wrap both of the herl's around the shank and tie off 1 eye width behind the hook eye. Than fold the fibers over and tie them off. At this point you will have the tips of the fibers sticking over the eye. Split the fibers into equal amounts and fold back. Wrap the thread around these to hold them in place. If you have accomplished this than you will have a completed Pheasant Tail Nymph. You tie this fly with a beadhead, to add extra weight, or make a few wraps of .10 lead wire around the shank where the thorax is. Enjoy.