CDC Pheasant Tail

Materials

How to Tie the CDC Pheasant Tail

1. 1

   Step 1

   Optionally slide a bead onto the hook. Add wraps of lead wire behind the bead if extra weight is desired, then push wraps into the bead.

2. 2

   Step 2

   Start thread behind the bead and cover the lead wraps to create a smooth underbody.

3. 3

   Step 3

   Take 8-10 pheasant tail fibers, even the tips, and tie in at the bend as a tail about half the shank length. Secure on top of the shank.

4. 4

   Step 4

   Tie in fine copper wire behind the bead, then run thread back to the bend. Tie in body pheasant tail fibers by their tips.

5. 5

   Step 5

   Wrap pheasant tail fibers forward to form a slender abdomen. Tie off behind the bead.

6. 6

   Step 6

   Counter-wrap the copper wire ribbing forward over the abdomen. Secure and trim.

   Counter-wrapping protects the fragile pheasant tail fibers from trout teeth.

7. 7

   Step 7

   Optionally tie in a strip of pearl Flashabou for a flashback wingcase.

8. 8

   Step 8

   Tie in 1-2 strands of peacock herl and wrap to build a thorax thicker than the abdomen behind the bead. Tie off and trim.

9. 9

   Step 9

   Prepare a CDC feather by fluffing the fibers. Tie in by the tip just behind the bead and wrap 1-2 turns as a soft hackle, stroking fibers rearward as you wrap.

10. 10

    Step 10

    Tie off the CDC feather and trim the stem. Whip finish behind the bead and optionally add head cement.