Gold Head Pheasant Tail #16 Mayfly Nymph- Trout flies

Mayflies are the most important group of insects to most fisherman, since the history of fly fishing relates primarily to them. There are over 700 species, but only a few are of importance to the fly fisherman.

 Mayflies like midges and caddis flies have four stages of metamorphosis. Egg, larvae, pupa, and adult. How ever the fisherman must be prepared with 6 basic patterns to successfully imitate the stage being eaten by the trout at the time. Mature mayfly nymph, emerging nymph, floating hatching nymph, stillborn Dun, Dun, and spinner.

The pheasent Tail was designed by a British riverkeeper ages ago, Frank Sawyer. This is a modern "bead head" variation.