Step-by-Step Guide to Tying a Small Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail

Fly Tying

May 17

The Small Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail is a classic fly pattern, known for its delicate appearance and effectiveness in a variety of fishing conditions. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you tie this simple yet effective fly, perfect for small streams or delicate presentations.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Prepare the Hook and Thread:
- Begin by securing your Daichi 1560 hook in the vise.
- Attach the Vivas 12/0 black thread to the hook and wrap it down the shank, creating a smooth base.
Tie in the Tail:
- Select six pheasant tail fibers for the tail.
- Measure the fibers to be about half the length of the hook shank and tie them in on top of the hook shank.
Secure the Tail:
- Wrap the thread forward to lock the tail fibers in place.
- Trim off any excess pheasant tail fibers.
Add Copper Wire:
- Tie in a small piece of copper wire along the side of the hook shank, running it back to the tail.
Prepare and Attach the Body:
- Take a few pheasant tail fibers for the body and tie in the tips at the rear of the hook, securing them with tight wraps.
- Leave some space near the hook eye for the soft tackle to be wrapped later.
Wrap the Body:
- Wrap the pheasant tail fibers forward toward the hook eye, ensuring you leave enough space for the thorax and soft hackle.
Counter-Wrap the Copper Wire:
- Take the copper wire and counter-wrap it in the opposite direction of the pheasant tail wraps.
- This will lock the pheasant tail fibers in place and create beautiful segmentation in the body.
Trim and Prepare the Thorax:
- Trim off any excess pheasant tail fibers.
- For the thorax, tie in a single strand of peacock hurl and make a few wraps to form a small, delicate thorax area.
Prepare the Soft Hackle:
- Select a small partridge feather, stripping the fluff at the base.
- Clip into the tip of the feather and pull back the fibers to expose the very tip of the feather.
Wrap the Soft Hackle:
- Secure the feather in your hackle pliers and wrap it gently around the hook, forming a small collar behind the hook eye.
Secure the Hackle:
- Capture the hackle with your thread and secure it with a few more wraps.
- Trim off the excess stem of the feather.
Finish the Fly:
- Gently pull the soft hackle fibers back and secure them with a couple of wraps of thread.
- Whip finish and trim off the thread to complete the fly.