Easy Sawyer PTN
This is not the original Sawyer Pheasant Tail Nymph dressing, but a version which novice fly-tyers should find easier to create in smaller sizes.
Hook: 14-20
Thread: Rust brown 8/0
Tail/body/wing cases: Cock pheasant centre tail fibres
Rib/thorax: Fine copper wire
Take the thread down in touching turns to the point shown in the photo below.
Tie 3 to 5 cock pheasant centre tail fibres in at this point. Lay the second turn of thread directly on top of the first to avoid a tag of thread forming at the base of the body when you wind the fibres later.
Don't make the tails too long and make sure the tips are even.
Also tie in an 8 to 10 inch length of fine copper wire at the same point.
I tied this in running along the opposite side of the hook shank.
Take the thread about 2/3 the way back up the shank towards the eye.
Wrap the body fibres around the hook shank in butting turns. There is no need to twist them as in the original Sawyer PTN. This will use less fibre and also create a neater body.
Tie the fibres off atop the hook shank as below.
Take the thread to the eye.
Now rib the body with the copper wire, going in the opposite direction to that which you wound the pheasant tail fibres. About 4 or 5 turns is right, depending on the size of the hook.
Once you've finished ribbing, wind the copper wire neatly from immediately in front of the upright pheasant fibres to within about 2mm of the eye.
Wind back towards the tail a second layer (and a third as I did if using a size 14 hook) of copper for a quite pronounced thorax, leaving the wire hanging immediately behind the pheasant fibres as shown.
If you went back for a third layer, then you'll have to take the wire back toward the body across the top of the thorax as shown.
You can secure it here by weighing it down by using hackle pliers if you wish.
Now bring the pheasant fibres forward and tie down with 2 turns at the head.
Now fold the pheasant fibres back over the thorax again. Tie in with 2 turns of the copper wire.
Now if you didn't need a third layer earlier, you have to run the copper wire back to the head by manipulating it so it runs across the thorax at an angle.
Try to avoid a diagonal lump on one side and take the wire alongside the pheasant fibres as best you can.
Once at the head, tie the wire in with 3 or 4 tight turns and "wobble" it off.
Now bring the pheasant fibres across for the final time, covering the copper wire turn which crossed the thorax and tying down at the head.
Finally, build up a neat head, whip finish and varnish.
Sawyer-style PTN for beginners
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