How to Tie Flies with Pheasant Tails

by
posted on April 7, 2014
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
dogs_ah2015_fs.jpg (23)

Wingshooting and fly-fishing go more hand-in-hand than is readily apparent. Participants in each tend to share a passion for conservation and enjoy a connection to the outdoors. So, perhaps it should come as no surprise that there also tends to be a good deal of crossover—folks who hunt birds in the fall and winter, and fly fish in the spring and summer.

And why not? There are no better feathers for tying flies than those found on the ringneck pheasant, wood duck and other game. Unfortunately I've never been more than a casual fisherman, but the idea of shooting a pheasant, using its tail to tie flies and actually fooling a wild brown trout with my creation—well, that's enough to excite me. And, given that I now live in central Pennsylvania, amidst some of the best wild trout streams in the northeast, I have no excuse.

Especially since the Lyon County Chapter of Pheasants Forever has provided easy, step-by-step instructions and a handy illustrative photo. So, maybe this is my year. I've got pheasants tails and fly-tying instructions—the casting part is easy, right?

Latest

CZ 600+ ST3 American 2
CZ 600+ ST3 American 2

#SundayGunday: CZ 600+ ST3 American

On this week's #SundayGunday, we are taking a look at the new-for-2026 design of the CZ 600+ ST3 American, the ST3 being the long- and magnum-action model. Built by the legendary Czech company for the American market, this is a rifle adapted perfectly to hunting on this continent.

How Can Hunters Travel Out of State With Suppressed Firearms?

Getting federal and state agencies out of the way of the citizens who wish to use suppressors to make their guns more polite to their ears and to their neighbors’ is an ongoing, complex and multifaceted effort. There is, however, progress being made thanks to the Trump administration.

A Shared Memory Between Life’s Chapters

Check out this memorable hunting story from member William Scott Aldridge.

Hardware Review: Browning BAR MK 4 Hunter

First, the Browning Automatic Rifle addressed in this article is not the renowned 1918 BAR of military fame. I’ve actually seen an American Rifleman editor hunt hogs with a reproduction 1918 BAR. While it was a spectacle to behold, it’s probably not the optimal choice for the deer woods, but hey, who am I to judge? The Browning BAR we’re talking about in this article is the iconic hunting rifle.

Choice Ammunition—Montana’s Handloaded Factory Ammunition.

Today, we have many more projectile options than we’ve ever had. However, there are still some combinations that aren’t readily available, and some of our older cartridges have become all but unobtainable. Enter a boutique ammunition shop from Montana, the brainchild of Mr. Jon Wemple: meet Choice Ammunition.

Improving Buckshot Performance

Buckshot’s downrange effectiveness varies greatly, from stellar to lackluster, depending on the shotgun/choke configuration and specifics of the load. Here is what you need to know to extract its greatness.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.