Grade my pheasant tail

I've been tying this pattern for about two days now. Never touched it before and I'm relatively new to tying. Here it is give me some feedback. ThanksAttachment 372Attachment 373Attachment 374

That fly is too much thorax. Use a slightly longer hook to alleviate that problem if you want to incorporate all of the elements you have. I think you are trying to jam too much into such a tiny space. Having said that. It will fish fine.

I use this version of the PT on a small hook. It is the only version I use.

http://www.flyguysoutfitting.com/ima...0d4700eda3.jpg

Look at mayfly nymphs on the bottom of rocks in streams. They are pretty skinny although the thorax is more pronounced than the abdomen.

You're crowding the eyelet a bit with thread. That might be causing the thorax to be a little big. Keeping the right profile is key to flies that will produce. Tails are a little long (shoot for a hook gap in length), abdomen isn't long enough, and smaller thorax.

http://www.worleybuggerflyco.com/Hat...is%20Nymph.jpg
Here is a picture of a common mayfly nymph natural, called a Baetis nymph. That should give you an idea of the type of sillouhette you should be mirroring for your PTs. Other mayfly nymphs might vary a little bit as far as their profile, but if you can get this basic one down then you'll be all set.

Also, maybe try practicing on a bigger hook so you can work on getting the correct sizing of the features of the nymph, and then start scaling down.

That being said, its not bad! Keep at it, and you'll only get better. Might want to invest in some cheap hooks to start out until you've got some of your patterns down pat.

If you've got the money (come on, you got some cash from Xmas right?), I would highly suggest this book.
http://www.amazon.com/Charlie-Craven...5270923&sr=8-1
It will show you the basics and help you develop the skill set to make some really nice flies. Charlie is phenomenal tier, and a really nice guy. Check out his website as well for some great tutorials on some other patterns you might be interested in.
Charlie's FlyBox - Colorado's Best FlyShop and online Fly Tying Tutorials

I tie my PT's similar to littlej's but I add a florescent hotspot behind the bead on some as a trigger. Other times I use Siman's peacock ice as a thorax. I ocassionly use brownish-purple mylar as a wingcase on some.

I've got to agree with Trout, get Charlie's book. With that being said he also has a kick ass website with tutorials.

CharliesFlyBox.com

You'll get there, before moving forward with material, try and break down the proportions, and later you'll use those same reference points to create consistency amongst all of your flies. Feel free to post up questions, and more pictures.

sorry

charliesflyboxinc.com

ok cool.. I've tied about a dozen of em today. Theyve gotten better as the day progressed and i've kinda figured out how to work the material. still the hardest part is tying in the tail and getting it A.) the correct length and B.) to stay where I want it so that I can start the body in the correct position. It's tough.

I've only been tying just over a year, and dont worry you'll get better very quickly. I still struggle with mayfly tails, excluding microfibbets. As far as length goes, 1/2 the body length is a good rule, but you can play around of just short or just long of that to see your preference. Unless proportions are completely out of wack, fish won't be too discriminating. I'm certain 70% of what we fuss with is geared toward our eye. Which isn't bad, but it isn't worth stressing over.


For tying them on and getting them to stay where you want, it has to do with thread torque. Use Pinch wraps and much of that "roll" or "carry" of the material will be eliminated. There are some youtube videos about this.