The Pheasant Tail Nymph is a true classic. The original, tied by Frank Sawyer used only copper thread and pheasant tail fibers.

The pattern following has been elaborated on a bit, using peacock herl for the abdomen and regular tying thread.

Hook:           12-16 down eye wet fly hook
Weight:         Copper wire
Thread:         Tan
Tail:             Pheasant tail fibers
Body:           Pheasant tail fibers
Rib:              Copper wire
Abdomen:     Peacock herl
Wing case:    Pheasant tail fibers
Hackle:         False and sparse from pheasant tail fibers
Head:            Color of thread

1.    Form a small oval ball of copper wire on the front half of the hook shank.
2.    Tie in a few pheasant tail fibers as tail over the hook bend. 6-10 will suffice.
3.    Tie in copper wire.
4.   Wind the pheasant tail fibers to the middle of the hook shank an tie down. Leave surplus.
5.    Wind the copper ribbing opposite the body, tie down and cut surplus.
6.    Tie in a few peacock herl. 2-4 will suffice.
7.    Wind the to just behind the hook eye to form a fairly thick abdomen.
8.    Pull the pheasant tail fibers forwards over the abdomen to form a wing case.
9.    Tie down and cut surplus.
10.  Tie in a few pheasant tail fibers to form a false hackle. 3-5 in each side will suffice.
11.  Form a small head over the materials.
12.  Whip finish and varnish.