Are Wing Cases Required - Pheasant Tail Nymphs

[mic]

I really suck at folding over the wing cases on my PTNs. They are never square or they split. Question, are they really required. Would the thorax wrap of peacock be good enough.

Before someone (Chief maybe) cracks the joke, yes I need to ask the fish.

[grizzly]

My first post!

But I have been tying for years, and I don't think you need a case on the fly. One of my friends up in Montana uses brown antron yarn for the tail and legs. He uses a strip of flashback for the wing case. He call's it a "guides pheasant tail" because it gets the job done and is easier to tie. Hope this helps.

[Wayne SW/MO]

I don't think they are necessary, but you could go with swiss straw. If you use straw it's a good idea to coat it with glue to toughen it up also, like turkey, etc.

[mic]

Well, I watched a video of "what the trout sees", and I was thinking. If the trout is looking up which I guess is most of the time, then the top wouldn't be seen anyways.

[Wayne SW/MO]

A nymph like the PT generally imitates a mayfly nymph that is doing one of two things, swimming up or it has lost its hold and is tumbling. The PT is basically a great nymph imitation in silhouette and color that used very few materials. You'll find that the older the nymph pattern, as a generally rule, the fewer the materials needed. Leaving something out like the wingcase is very unlikely to change the effectiveness because it isn't a contrast.

[ness]

I can't help but think a little change in your technique could help. Maybe tie in a little wider strip of tail then you normally do, and make sure those first wraps at the back don't splay the fibers out. Also, make sure it's laying right where you want it before you wrap. Do one fairly loose wrap, make that final adjustment, be sure the fibers are still together then finish with a few tighter wraps.

[Yakfly]

I've heard it said the majority of a trout's diet is brown, 1/4" long, and fuzzy.

IMO, wing cases are for the fishermen, not the fish!

[Wayne SW/MO]

I've heard it said the majority of a trout's diet is brown, 1/4" long, and fuzzy.

The ones I've seen weren't fuzzy. At least the ones they put in the coin machines weren't.

[Outside Bend]

Definitely not necessary, but it's a good skill to develop. You can reinforce the wingcase fibers with head cement or other adhesive, and there are plenty of plastic materials- Nymph Skin, scudback, even plastic strips from a sandwich baggie colored with a sharpie, that can also do the trick.

[sean c]

I dont ever tie in wing cases with my pt's but I do substitute ice dub(peacock) instead of peacock herl they seem more durable actually I tie almost all my nymphs in the round. When I do tie In wing cases I hit the fibers with a brushable super glue.