Golden Tippet Fly Co.
The Bead Head Pheasant Tail Sparkle Back fly is a variant of the classic Pheasant Tail nymph, which is a staple in the fly boxes of trout anglers around the world. This particular version includes a bead at the head and a "sparkle back" feature that adds flash and visibility to the fly, making it even more attractive to fish. Here's a detailed description:
Hook: Typically tied on a standard nymph hook, sizes can range from about #12 to #20, depending on the size of the natural insects you're trying to imitate.
Bead Head: A small metallic bead, often gold or copper, is added to the head of the hook before tying. This serves multiple purposes: it adds weight to help the fly sink, it can act as an attractor, and it mimics the head of a small insect.
Thread: Fine tying thread is used to construct the fly, with color choices often in brown, black, or olive to match the natural colors of the pheasant tail fibers and the insects they mimic.
Tail: The tail is made from the fibers of a pheasant tail feather. These fibers are long, slender, and naturally barred, which gives a lifelike appearance to the nymph.
Abdomen: The body or abdomen of the fly is also constructed from pheasant tail fibers, wrapped around the hook shank to create a segmented effect. This mimics the segmented body of many aquatic nymphs.
Ribbing: Fine wire, in copper, is wrapped over the abdomen in evenly spaced turns. This adds durability to the fly and creates a contrast that can enhance its visibility underwater.
Sparkle Back: A strip of pearlescent or reflective material is laid over the top of the abdomen before the ribbing is applied. This gives the fly its "sparkle back" characteristic, reflecting light and creating an eye-catching glimmer as it moves through the water.
Thorax: The thorax is made with peacock herl, which has a natural iridescence and creates an attractive bulge on the fly that suggests a rich food source to fish.
Legs: This fly include legs made from the same pheasant tail fibers. These are tied in such a way that they splay out to the sides, adding movement and realism.
Wingcase: The sparkle back material that was laid over the abdomen is continued over the thorax to form a wing case.
The Bead Head Pheasant Tail Sparkle Back fly is effective because it combines the successful elements of a traditional nymph with enhancements that make it more visible and attractive to fish. The added weight of the bead helps anglers get the fly down into the feeding zone quickly, while the sparkle back catches light and can trigger aggressive strikes from trout and other fish feeding on nymphs in streams and lakes.
