Tying (and fishing) a Bead Head, Pheasant Tail, All Purpose Mayfly Nymph pattern

A super simple, bead head AP Pheasant Tail nymph that can be effective imitating any number of generic mayflies.
Hook: #12-18 1x long
Bead: Any, to match hook size
Thread: Black
Rib: Wire, any size or color
Tail: Pheasant tail fiber tips
Body: Pheasant tail fibers
Flashback: Pearlescent or opal tinsel
Thorax: Any dubbing, any color
** Some of the popular books used on this channel: **
Fly Pattern Encyclopedia: amzn.to/34U0rUe
Mike Valla's "Tying the Founding Flies," 2015, amzn.to/354oSir
Valla's "Tying and Fishing Bucktails..." 2016, amzn.to/3Jg2Mys
Valla's "Tying Catskill-Style Dry Flies," 2020, amzn.to/3DmYOjJ
Valla's "Classic Streamer Fly Box," 2020, amzn.to/3n3Vakf
Dave Hughes, "Essential Trout Flies," 2017, amzn.to/3lbCZYX
Hughes, "Nymphs for Streams and Stillwaters," amzn.to/3HC2jpc
Hughes, "Wet Flies," 2015, amzn.to/33ac3lQ
David Klausmeyer's "Favorite Flies," 2020, amzn.to/3oeSNMa
Randle Scott Stetzer's "Flies, the Best One Thousand," amzn.to/34Q15mp
Terry Hellekson's "Popular Fly Patterns," 1976, amzn.to/2L4IyvS
Dick Stewart's, "Flies for Bass and Panfish," 1992, amzn.to/3aGpFs1
Savage Flies is a project with the mission of encouraging and teaching fly tying to as many people as possible. The channel is named after one of my western Maryland homewaters, the Savage River. Thanks for stopping by.

[@melchurch3019]

Bending the wire before shoving it into the bead is a tip I didn't know. Thanks.

[@jthrash75]

Nice little PT! Simple flies catch fish, and that flashy wing case adds to its effectiveness. Looks like that new rod worked great. Nice work. Great looking native rainbows to.

[@leemowers9395]

Thanks Matt for the tying lesson and the adventure on the GunPowder.

[@bigdaddy99929]

These nymphs are a must. And simple tie!! Thx Matt

[@WARPEDVIKING]

Thanks Matt for another wonderful fly tie. Furthermore please have a safe and wonderful Independence Day, God bless you, your family, and all of your subscribers!

[@ZacharyBobbie1611]

Easy fly hype! I love the simple patterns too! Tight lines, Matt! Thank you for sharing! 😎🎣

[@davehall2160]

That is a gorgeous river, Matt And definitely one of my favorite flies I hope you have a great 4th tomorrow Thanks for the video

[@markfritch3168]

Simple and effective. My type of fly! Happy 4th and thank you for your service. That pole is priceless and this video should tickle her.

[@tompeterson559]

It’s always nice seeing you fish the Gunpowder! Thanks for another fun video.

[@SavageFlies]

You bet Tom! Yesterday's video had another couple of minutes on the Gunpowder. This time was York Rd. Definitely check it out. It had a cameo by a duck that followed me around for a couple hours and I even rescued a bird that had eaten a nymph stuck in a tree.

[@mikeney5113]

Beautiful river Matt and fish.thanks for sharing my friend

[@ybarrajc]

Another nice one Matt thanks for sharing. This is my type of fly quick, easy and effective. Have a blessed day my friend.

[@jimholland1592]

Good morning ☕️☕️ A good good to bug, and that is a beautiful place. And your rod is officially broken in😉

[@AlAraujo-zr2nh]

Great fly. Hunter friend gave me a lot of pheasant feathers, use them a lot. Have a great day!

[@johnnylightning1491]

Looks like one of those no-name flies that just catches fish. Gotta love 'em. I had an interesting experience yesterday. I was gear fishing while my granddaughter caught bait sized bluegill. I was fishing with one of them under a bobber. When I was reeling in to change locations I had a 30" plus pike follow right to the boat. He (or she) didn't eat but it sure was a surprise. The good thing is I'll be here all summer so I'll have lot's more chances to get him. Keep the good stuff coming buddy.

[@ccbuddy813]

The pheasant tail is more then a no name fly its one of the top 4 mayfly nymph patterns to use and has been for generations. Look up the golden hare nymph that's another oldie but a goodie

[@Jd-yc3gw]

Good morning Matt. ☕️. Nice, easy nymph. I like those easy ones especially when they work. Always enjoy your footage of your local rivers and the fish. The colors on those fish are sure different from ours. Ours are darker on the back and sides than the ones you showed. It must be the habitat difference from streams to the lakes. I was last out fishing on the Father’s Day weekend. Had awesome days the first two but got stormed out the third day. Biggest rainbow was about 18” and smallest was around the 8-9” mark. Was one short of landing double digits each day and it was all dry fly fishing. Super fun. Take care and have a great rest of your week. ☕️

[@johngallagher5821]

Sometimes the simplest flies are great producers.

[@rickbrown7067]

Great job Matt, love the new rod! Looks like it throws a nice line..

[@edwardmlotkiewicz2343]

Classic nymph that's been catching fish for years. I use it when I fish the Gunpowder when I'm up there. Great video of the stream. Thanks, Matt.

[@harryjoesather6539]

Thanks matt as always i will be watching...see ya joe.

[@tomt5176]

Hey Matt. Nice tying video as always and a beautiful spot to test out that flashy new rod. Happy that it panned out a couple nice trout on the debut run! Have a great holiday weekend with the family.

[@FlyTyer1948]

Simple catches me every time. I never expected to lose any flies while fishing, but like easy flies because I tie with the assumption that one out of two will be lost to fly-hungry rocks or tree branches. Happy 4th!

[@neilcox2739]

Thanks Matt, nice simple pattern and good to see footage from above Falls Road. I still haven't fished there as I thought it'd be too busy, but looks beautiful!

[@BeyerOutdoors]

Thank you for the tying & fishing.

[@glenndotter5065]

Love watching you tie "fishable flies". That pheasant tail and the hares ear have probably caught more fish than any other two flies put together! Keep em coming Matt.

[@davidveilleux4688]

Nice tie .

[@jamesyates5191]

Thanks for great video both tying and fishing.

[@burtonbrocious171]

Nice nymph matt simple is best 😊

[@joeduca8582]

"I love Matt's fast food flies!" Great father's day present you got Matt. I believe you too have a Cortland "just add water" fly rod/reel combo kit similar to the one I bought decades ago. Mine is a fiberglass 8.5 ft, #8 weight that came with a level line. I learned how to cast with that combo. It worked great but caused some fatigue after casting all day because it was heavy compared to the composite and graphite rods I used later on. I wonder how the modern fiberglass rods compare in that regard. Thanks Matt, that is a beautiful stream. 👍You and the family have a great 4th!

[@SavageFlies]

Oh man, you're bringing back memories Joe! Yes, my first fly rod from K-mart was a Cortland combo kit. Mine was a 4/5 rod with a level 5-wt line. I've still got the rod (it's also a two-piece) but no idea what ever happened to the reel. I actually broke out the rod 6-7 years ago but now that I'm fishing some high-end Sage rods, maybe I should pull it out and see how it compares. Hmmm... I might just go out to the garage and grab it now. So thanks for this note. Yeah, I should be going to bed but instead I'm about to go out to my garage and climb around a huge mess so I can find this old relic. :-)

[@joeduca8582]

@@SavageFlies 😆 way to go!

[@brianferguson9483]

Nice tie job bud 😊

[@garyproctor6123]

Simple pattern with natural materials and keeping it small is a go to combination. Beautiful stream and fish. Take Care

[@jeffjackson5331]

Cool

[@rickbeggs4300]

Very nice tie, my only comment is you did not counter wrap the wire as you said.

[@augustonthefly]

You are literally the only person I've ever seen use wax for a noodle.

[@jamesvatter5729]

I think that pattern spawned by placing your Hare's Ears too close to your Pheasant Tails! 😂

[@user-mf2jd4mu1l]

👍💪

[@cyguy8577]

Is this a “flymph”?

[@SavageFlies]

You know, the "flymph" or fur wet flies/nymphs are kind of like this, but maybe just a bit more fur. I'd say if you picked out the thorax on this, you could call it a flymph. :-)