Flashback Pheasant Tail Tying Instructions

Here is how I tie this classic trout fly.  This fly is great as a dropper and works pretty much everywhere. You can use pretty much any material for the flashback, i.e. tinsel or flashabou.  Experiment with how wide you like it.  The flashback on this fly is wider than I like but it was easier to see in photos.  The other thing that may be new to some is twisting the peacock herl around the thread.  I do this every time I tie with peacock herl because it is fairly fragile.

Flashback Pheasant Tail - Trout Fly

Hook: TMC 3761 #14-18

Bead: Copper Tungsten 3/32"

Thread: 6/0 Camel Brown

Tail: Pheasant Tail

Rib: Copper Wire

Flashback: Pearlescent Sheeting

Body: Pheasant Tail

Thorax: Peacock Herl

Legs: Pheasant Tail

Step 1: Tie in tail and wrap remaining pheasant tail forward.

Step 2: Tie in copper wire and then flashback material.

Step 3: Fold pheasant tail back and wrap over.

Step 4: Wrap pheasant tail body.

Step 5: Pull flashback over and tie down but do not clip. Rib body.

Step 6: Tie in peacock herl.  Wrap herl around thread to strengthen it.

Step 7: Wrap herl, pull flashback forward, and whip finish.

Step 8: Tie in 4-5 pheasant tails on each side of fly for legs.  Tie off.