Flashback Pheasant Tail by Charlie Craven

One of the most effective flies ever created. Plain and simple with a glimmering flashback wingcase. Imitates every kind of mayfly nymph from Callibaetis to plain old Baetis and does it well.
Materials Needed:
Hook: TMC 100SP-BL #14-20, Tmc 100 #22 And Smaller
Thread: 8/0 UNI Rusty Brown Down To An Eighteen, 14/0 Veevus Rusty Brown For 20 And Smaller
Tail: Ringneck Pheasant Tail Fibers
Rib: Fine Copper Wire
Abdomen: Ringneck Pheasant Tail Fibers
Wingcase/Legs: Ringneck Pheasant Tail Fibers
Flashback: Pearl FireFly
Thorax: Peacock Herl From The Eyed Quill
All materials are available at charliesflybox...

[@davidnix5211]

Thanks for the video.

[@melstallard5862]

I love this pattern. Especially the way you did the flashback with multiple strands. I tied a few of these up and took my son flyfishing on the Blue for the first time and he caught several rainbow trout with this fly. He wants to stick it in a frame and hang it above his bed. Thanks for the memories Charlie. Look forward to watching more of your videos.

[@martinhodell8465]

you make it look so easy to get the right proportions and shape

[@michaelbednarcyk2817]

Really good tie with extremely good tips and commentary. Thanks, Charlie!

[@tmarkk99]

Enjoyed it. Thanks Charlie. I tied several of your swim coach streamers over the weekend. Fun fly to tie. The possum is the key. Looking forward to fishing it. You are a master.

[@jayboogie27]

Making it look easy! Thanks for the video!

[@barbaraemerich1921]

Nice fly!! I will be tying this one up! Thank you!

[@cachi-7878]

Beautiful!

[@edelms3255]

As always, a nice tie of a classic. I like your streamlined version with the pheasant, but I have a question...I noticed you do not counter wrap the wire...is there a specific reason?

[@deanscott9876]

Nicely done, subscribed.

[@chrisbukowski9434]

Nice and clean

[@tocayofishing6538]

Nice one

[@jdigioia1130]

Love the details outlined here. Curious to know why all of the remaining pheasant tail fibers were not used as legs? Thanks and tight lines! 🎣

[@imaxfli]

Did you cut that goop applicator to make it nice and thin?

[@handcannon1388]

Nice fly, Charlie. How are you holding up? Can you get out to fish where you live? I still can, but I'm waiting for warmer and drier weather ... maybe Thursday ...

[@wyomingtrout5581]

Charlie - I use the multiple strands of flash for the wing case too. I believe it causes a faceted effect and reflects more light, would you concur, also how bout showing us a version using a tiny soft hackle for more movement in the leg area. I could never figure out using the excess PT stems for legs, not very imitative. What are your thoughts?

[@handcannon1388]

There is no reason it wouldn't work. If you wanted to vastly increase durability, use them for the tail, too. In my opinion, the best and wiggliest option might be to use soft hackle like Coq de Leon saddle for a tail, and peacock Ice Dub mixed with a touch of Senyo's Shaggy Dub in a loop for the thorax. It might be hard to do in the tiniest sizes, though; I usually don't tie smaller than size 14 for nymphs - which I use lake fishing for trout and panfish.

[@fredleroux6920]

Thank you so much for your videos during this time , much appreciated, i have a slightly different question for you ,how do you measure the amount of dubbing you need ?on certain of your videos you get it perfect each time, Is it a "feel" thing or do you use a formula? Thank you once again 🇿🇦

[@CharliesFlyBox]

Fred le Roux it’s always less than you think. If you’ve got a thin strand of dubbing you have a much better chance of being able to shape and distribute it than if you’ve got a thick, lumpy strand. A thin strand gives you a lot of leeway in placing each wrap so it ends up being “exactly” the right amount. It’s not so much knowing how much to put on but more knowing how to put it on and where to put it!

[@fredleroux6920]

Charlie's Fly Box thank you for the feedback , much appreciated