Nymph-Head Heavy Metal Pheasant Tail Fly

The Nymph-Head Heavy Metal Pheasant Tail Fly takes a world-famous pattern and upgrades it for modern anglers. This fly features a specific "Heavy Metal" tungsten bead from Flymen Fishing Company that helps it sink quickly into the feeding zone. It imitates the aquatic insects that trout eat most often. You should keep this pattern in your box because it combines a classic profile with the weight needed to reach deep fish.

What It Imitates

This fly looks like a mayfly nymph. Mayflies live in almost every trout stream and are a primary food source for fish. The slim body and natural pheasant tail fibers mimic the shape and movement of these insects as they drift in the current.

How To Use It

You can fish this fly using several different methods. It works very well for tight-line or "Euro" nymphing because the tungsten bead provides enough weight to keep your line tight. You can also fish it under a strike indicator. If the water is fast or deep, use this fly as your bottom fly to pull your rig down. In shallower water, you can hang it below a large dry fly.

When To Use It

Use this fly as a searching pattern when you are not sure what the fish are eating. It works all year long. The Olive version is a good choice during Blue Winged Olive hatches, while the Brown version works well for general mayfly activity. It performs best when you need to get your fly down to the bottom quickly in fast currents.

Why We Like It

We recommend this fly because of the high-quality Nymph-Head tungsten bead. Many standard flies use brass beads, which are lighter and take longer to sink. The Heavy Metal tungsten bead gets this fly into the strike zone almost instantly. The bead color also matches the body of the fly, which creates a more natural look that does not spook wary fish.

Comparisons

Nymph-Head Heavy Metal Pheasant Tail vs Standard Bead Head Pheasant Tail: The main difference between these two is the weight. The Heavy Metal version uses a tungsten bead, while the standard version often uses a brass bead. Tungsten is much heavier than brass. You should choose the Heavy Metal version for fast water or deep pools where you need to sink quickly. Choose the standard version for shallow water or when fish are feeding near the surface.

Nymph-Head Heavy Metal Pheasant Tail vs Frenchie: The Frenchie is a variation of the Pheasant Tail that usually has a bright "hot spot" of color near the head. The Heavy Metal Pheasant Tail has a more natural, uniform color. You should use the Frenchie when the water is stained or when fish are aggressive. The Heavy Metal Pheasant Tail is a better choice in clear water or when fish are being picky and ignoring bright colors.

Nymph-Head Heavy Metal Pheasant Tail vs Perdigon: The Perdigon is designed to sink as fast as possible and has a smooth, epoxy-coated body. The Heavy Metal Pheasant Tail sinks quickly but still has natural fibers that move in the water. Choose the Perdigon for extremely fast water where depth is the only goal. Choose the Heavy Metal Pheasant Tail when you want a balance of depth and lifelike movement.