Sawyers Pheasant Tail Nymph

The Sawyer's Pheasant Tail Nymph developed in the mid-20th century by British riverkeeper Frank Sawyer, the Sawyer’s Pheasant Tail Nymph is one of the most influential nymphs ever created. Unlike traditional patterns, Sawyer designed his fly to be tied almost entirely from pheasant tail fibers and fine copper wire, eliminating thread to produce an exceptionally slim, naturally tapered profile. This minimalist construction allows the fly to sink quickly and imitate the streamlined shape and movement of mayfly nymphs with uncanny realism. Its simple materials, sparse silhouette, and subtle translucence make it deadly on selective trout in clear water, especially when fish are feeding close to the bottom or drifting up in the water column during emerging periods. Sawyer’s original design remains a cornerstone of modern nymph fishing—effective anywhere trout swim.

To fish it the way Sawyer intended, slightly polish the copper wire with fine steel wool before tying. This removes micro-oxidation and gives the body a faint, natural sheen underwater—an effect Sawyer believed mimicked the “live sparkle” of a mayfly nymph’s exoskeleton as it flexes in current. The difference is subtle but surprisingly effective in slow, glassy runs where trout scrutinize every detail.