Tony Abel’s documented Flash Back Nymph with pheasant-tail abdomen, copper rib, peacock thorax and pearl Mylar flashback; shown with the optional tungsten bead.
The Flys and Guides index names a “Bead Head Flashback Nymph” but gives no dressing. Tony Abel published his own Flash Back Nymph material list in the Tasmanian Fly Tyers Club’s 2024 Vice newsletter, and says he often adds a gold, copper or black tungsten bead. This version chooses his gold bead option; it does not identify the index photograph as his tie. The steps are editorial.
Work through the numbered steps in order, using the materials list and written proportions as your guide.
01
Seat bead and tie tail
Slide the gold tungsten bead to the eye, mount the size 12 or 14 hook, start black 8/0 thread and tie a short pheasant-fiber tail at the bend.
Bench note Keep the tail short enough to suit a compact nymph body.
02
Anchor wire and Mylar
Tie fine copper wire at the rear for the rib, then tie a narrow pearl holographic Mylar strip on top so it can later fold over body and thorax.
Bench note Leave the Mylar free behind the working area until both sections are built.
03
Form pheasant abdomen
Secure a bunch of pheasant-tail fibers, spin them around the tying thread as Abel specifies and wrap the reinforced bundle into a tapered abdomen.
Bench note Stop with enough room for a distinct peacock thorax.
04
Wind peacock thorax
Spin three or four peacock tail herls around the thread and wrap a full but compact thorax immediately behind the tungsten bead.
Bench note The thread core protects the brittle peacock herl from breaking.
05
Close flashback and rib
Draw the pearl Mylar across the top of both body and thorax, bind it down behind the bead, then spiral fine copper wire closely over it for protection.
Bench note Keep the strip centered while the close copper turns hold it in place.
06
Finish behind bead
Secure and trim wire and Mylar, build a small black-thread head behind the gold bead, then whip finish and clear the hook eye.
Bench note Leave the pearl stripe visible from above rather than burying it under thread.
Beyond the bench
On the water.
Fish the weighted nymph beneath an indicator or as a subsurface dropper, adjusting depth to the water. Abel calls his pattern a reliable stillwater “plonking” fly, including at Four Springs.
