Monday, September 26, 2011

Pheasant Tail Jig Flies - Adding hot spots


I'm going to miss fishing dry flies. I've really fallen in love with it this summer and after the BWOs start to taper off, I can only hope to get lucky with some occasional surface action on midges.

That being said, I know it's time to start getting ready for a long winter of nymphing. I've had some major luck on pheasant tails with hot spots (mostly orange) and I've caught quite a few fish on jig patterns over the winter so making pheasant tail jigs is a no-brainer.

Incorporating some orange to your PTs can be done a few ways. Here are 3 different variations.

All flies are tied using:
Dohiku barbless jig hook, size 16
Ringneck Pheasant Tail
UTC Ultra Wire
Jan Siman Peacock Broze dubbing
Tungsten Bead

First up, the easiest way to do it. Add a colored tungsten bead and call it a day.


Next up, try adding a collar. Finish your fly with the natural colored thread, and have another bobbin waiting with some neon thread to add a color. For this, I used Glo-Brite hot orange floss. I like to size down the bead when adding collars, I just think it looks cleaner.


Finally, here's a variation where I swapped out the gold ribbing for some orange UTC.


It's also time to chase Salmon and Steelhead again. I'll be heading to SRNY in 14 days. Here's a sneak peak of an upcoming steelhead stonefly post.

5 comments:

  1. Sweet looking nymphs.

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  2. Nice nymphs...I actually look forward to Winter. Less activity, but its simpler in my eyes. Plus less crowds!

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  3. Hot spots are a great addition to fall fly selection.

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  4. Thanks guys.

    MKoloch out of nowhere! What's up man? you hitting the Salmon at all soon?

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  5. No salmon this year...Between my sons first birthday & my sister's having a baby, the fall is to busy. Other trips are in the works though!!

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