Charlie J’s Fly Tying Corner - Orange Thoraxed PT Nymph

publication date: Jul 25, 2008

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author/source: Charles Jardine - Fish&Fly

Orange Thoraxed Pheasant Tail Nymph.

Heck of a mouthful…no wonder the thing is abbreviated to a PT nymph. This is one of those patterns that just seems to be overlooked nowadays; especially in the wake of Diawl Bachs, Crunchers and so on and yet it remains a classic; a dressing that is the cornerstone of our efforts. Often, it’s all too easy to forget the fly and its effectiveness.
In just about any high summer situation this pattern – and its variations - is well worth considering; but particularly this version of the “clan”, which is most notably of use when caddis or sedges are “on the wing”. In these situations, this variation can be a vague (yet very good) impression of the hatching pupa.
Also, the target spot of the orange thorax seems to appeal to Daphnia gulping trout. OK, it doesn’t look much like a tiny little soft washed-out orange coloured water flea to us… but then, we are not trout are we?
One thing is certain, you can’t go far wrong having a few of these lurking the fly box in a range of sizes from 10-14. Just don’t forget where they are!

Materials.
• Hook: std wet (medium or heavy wire) 10-14
• Thread: 8/0 claret/black or red for the extroverts out there
• Tail: 4-6. Cock PT fibres.
• Rib: gold, copper or gold wire
• Body: 6-8 PT fibres
• Thorax pad: 6-8 PT fibres
• Thorax: Orange Seal’s fur in various hues – ambery-orange through to hot orange.

Charlies J's Orange Thoraxed Pheasant Tail Nymph

Step1: Attach the thread and make some wraps then add the tailing fibres.
Step 2: Continue the thread and encompass the tailing material down to the hook bend and add the rib (silver, copper or gold).
Step 3: Now add the PT body fibres; tie these in by their tips, as this will reduce bulk. Do not do as the Cove PT once suggested in some article or other - try and complete the entire fly with one section of PT fibres; it didn’t work then it won’t work now!
Step 4: Wrap the body – I try never to twist the fibres (as you would be asked to do in the Sawyer’s version) this aspect for a still water pattern will only add bulk, instead try to open the fibres so that they go on the hook in touching wrap-cum-layer.
Step 5: Rib in a counter turn to the body wraps
Step 6: Now add the PT wing pads – again I try to ensure that these are tied in by their tips and on top of the shank – NOT to the side.
Step 7/8: Dub the thorax – I ensure, when using seal’s fur (and let me be clear here, there is no substitute – well there is…but there isn’t…if you see what I mean!) that I dub on waxed thread, it really does make the job easier.
Step 9: Tie in the thorax pad/cover having tilted the top of the fly into a semi-plan view so that you are looking down on it. That way you will ensure that the fibres and pad lay in straight line – not sure if the trout care two hoots: I do!
That's it!