March 2026 Sunriver Scene - Flipbook - Page 20
Fly Tying Corner: Sawyer Pheasant Tail Nymph
Sawyer Pheasant Tail Nymph
Materials List
Hook:Firehole Outdoors 627 barbless competition
hook (short shank, 2x gape), sizes 14-18, or similar
Abdomen, thorax and rib: Red Ultra Wire in small
Abdomen, thorax and wing pad: Natural ringnecked pheasant
Tying Instructions:
Tying instructions and steps are being published
in video form, and can be found on the Sunriver
Anglers’ webpage at www.sunriveranglers.org/
fly-tying-corner, on Facebook at www.facebook.
com/SunriverAnglers/ or on YouTube at youtube/
ab5yoHFZ7Mw
By Phil Fischer
The Sawyer Pheasant Tail Nymph
is the featured fly for March’s Sunriver
Anglers Fly Tying Corner. Frank Sawyer
originated the pattern in the early 1900s.
It is a simple, yet effective, fly pattern.
It is unique because the only materials
used are a hook, copper wire and ringnecked pheasant tail. The fly does not
use thread to bind it together. The fly
imitates any number of different mayfly
nymphs that are common in Central
Oregon’s streams and rivers.
I have used this fly effectively in a
broad spectrum of rivers from Central
Oregon to Montana and as far away as
Argentina. It is usually one of the first
patterns I pull out of my fly box when
approaching a new river, as it is an excellent imitation for small mayfly nymphs.
The pattern featured in this month’s
column is tied to specifically imitate a
pale morning dun nymph. I can adapt
the size and color to imitate many different mayfly nymphs.
Use a greenish pheasant tail, bronze
wire and tie on a size 18, and you have an
excellent imitation for the mayflies, including the baetis or blue-winged olive.
Tie a little larger fly using pheasant
tail and copper wire, and you have a
mahogany dun nymph. This is my go
to pattern in many situations, and it is
responsible for more fish to net than any
DE ALICANTE LAW GROUP LLC
Trusts | Wills | Probate | Business
Over 25 years experience in estate & tax planning
Tony De Alicante, Principal
■ EXPERIENCED TRUST
AND WILLS DRAFTING
■ PROBATE
■ BUSINESS AND
REAL PROPERTY
TRANSACTIONS
■ LLC’S
other pattern I've fished. Give it
a try. I think you'll like it!
I have tied the fly slightly
differently than the original
Sawyer nymph tied by Frank
Sawyer. The main difference is
in the tie-off point. The original pattern tied off the fly at the
back of the thorax, whereas in
my version it is tied off at the
head. But I think you'll see
how quick and easy the pattern
is to tie. I've added UV resin
to the wing case to make the
fly more durable, that wasn’t
something available in Frank
Sawyer’s time.
Learn to tie this fly pattern
and fish it in rivers including
Fall River, Upper Deschutes
and the main stem of the
Deschutes.
If you have questions or
would like additional information about the Sawyer Pheasant
Tail, please email me. If you
have suggestions on future
patterns to feature in this column, I welcome your input. I
can be reached at philfischer@
sbcglobal.net.
Sunriver Anglers present
Legendary Outfitters guide
By Rynie Miyashiro
The Sunriver Anglers invite
its members, friends and anyone interested in fly fishing
Central Oregon’s local waters
to join them for a presentation
by local fly fishing guide Bryon
Salaz.
Held at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 4 at SHARC, doors
open at 4:15 p.m. for a social
time and fish stories, followed
by the meeting. Admission
is free. Refreshments will be
served. Bring a little cash for
the bucket raffle.
Salaz was raised in Redmond
where he started fly fishing
when he was 9 years old. He
grew up fly fishing around the
region. He started guiding for
Cascade Guides and Outfitters
at The Hook Fly Shop in The
Village at Sunriver in 2007,
where he refined his guiding
techniques working on the
lakes and rivers in Central
Oregon.
In 2020, Salaz started his
Bryon Salaz.
own company, Legendary Outfitters. He currently operates
out of Prineville where he lives
with his wife, Sarah, and their
two daughters, Mabel and
Brydget.
Salaz will be discussing the
variety of fishing trips, tactics,
and the seasons that Legendary Outfitters offers, including
fishing the Lower Deschutes for
trout and steelhead, Lake Billy
Chinook for bull trout and
smallmouth bass, the Crooked
River for trout, and the Williamson River.
For information, visit www.
sunriveranglers.org.
Call us today to customize a schedule right for you!
Captain, US Navy (Retired)
NOTICE FOR OUT OF STATE PROPERTY OWNERS
• Oregon will impose estate taxes on the value of your Central Oregon
property at your death. Beginning at 10% for estates valued at over $1 million
(under current law, possibly higher under proposed changes)
• Moving your real property into an LLC will avoid Oregon estate taxes.
• We can establish an LLC for you to help you avoid Oregon estate taxes.
De Alicante
541.390.8961
Law Group LLC
tony@dealicante.com
www.dealicante.com
19750 Amber Meadow Drive Ste. 140 Bend, OR 97702
Landscape Renovation
Landscape Design & Installation
Landscape Maintenance Options
Irrigation Start Up, Winterization & Repairs
Backflow Testing & Repairs • Water Features
Hardscapes • Paver Patios • Backyard Living Area
Snow Removal
Greg & Tereasa
BROXSON
www.twinpineslandscape.com
541.593.3228
Owners
PO Box 4803, Sunriver OR 97707 • LCB#8215
Page 20
MARCH 2026 SUNRIVER SCENE
