The pattern notebook · nymph

Red Tag Pheasant Tail

How do you tie a Red Tag Pheasant Tail?

Red Tag Pheasant Tail is a nymph fly pattern for trout. Find its 8 materials and 16 tying steps below.

Added to catalog February 1, 2026 · Updated March 26, 2026

At the vise

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Slide copper bead onto hook and secure hook in vise.
Start thread behind the bead and wrap to the bend.
Tie in red embroidery floss at the bend for the tag.
Trim the tag to the desired length.
Tie in copper wire for ribbing at the bend.
Select a few pheasant tail fibers and tie them in tip-first at the tie-in point.
Wrap the pheasant tail fibers forward to form the body.
Tie off the pheasant tail fibers behind the bead and trim excess.
Counter-wrap the copper wire forward to rib the body.
Helicopter the copper wire to break it off.
Dub peacock ice dub onto the thread to form a dubbing noodle.
Wrap the dubbing noodle behind the bead to form the thorax.
Tie in a rooster hackle behind the bead.
Wrap the rooster hackle a couple of times to form the collar.
Tie off the hackle and trim the excess.
Whip finish twice behind the bead and trim the thread.