Frank Sawyer, a legendary figure in fly fishing, made contributions that continue to impact the sport today. Looking into his legacy uncovers more than expected — he was well beyond being the grandfather of the Pheasant Tail Nymph.

A note on the series: Sawyer was an English riverkeeper, not an American angler. He's here because almost every American nymph fisherman is using his ideas, whether they know it or not.

The foundation of modern nymph fishing

Sawyer, a riverkeeper on the famed River Avon in England, is often credited as the originator of upstream nymphing. His techniques and patterns laid the groundwork for modern nymph fishing.

The Pheasant Tail Nymph

Sawyer invented the iconic Pheasant Tail Nymph, commonly known as the PTN. This simple yet effective fly remains a staple in fly boxes worldwide. It imitates various aquatic insects, particularly mayfly nymphs, and consists of pheasant tail fibres and fine red copper wire — no thread at all in the original tying.

Anglers still use it today, and many variations have emerged over time. Ours is in the Bead Head Pheasant Tail Assortment, which gives you the pattern across three sizes.

Upstream nymphing

Sawyer developed and refined the technique of fishing weighted nymphs upstream to target trout and grayling feeding near the river bottom. Known as the Avon or Netheravon style, the method presents nymphs naturally by letting them drift with the current.

His approach revolutionised nymph fishing and remains fundamental for anglers worldwide. If you want the modern version of it, read Understanding Nymphing and Wet Flies.

The tuck cast

It's quite likely Sawyer invented the tuck cast, although he never explicitly claimed credit. In Nymphs and the Trout he described it as a way to make nymphs sink quickly: "To make a nymph pitch and sink quickly, the best method I have found is to stop the rod on the downward stroke in casting and check the running line passing through the left hand just when it is extended horizontally over the water."

The tuck cast gets nymphs deep fast, mimicking natural behaviour. It's still taught today, and it's the ancestor of a lot of what euro nymphers do.

His other nymph patterns

Killer Bug — represents shrimps, beetle larvae, and sedge larvae.
Sawyer Swedish Nymph — represents summer mayflies, pond olives, and sepia duns.
Grey Goose Nymph — represents pale wateries and spurwings.
Bow Tie Buzzer — represents red buzzers.

Each reflects Sawyer's keen observation of aquatic insects and their behaviour — which is really the lesson underneath all of it.

Legacy and ongoing influence

Sawyer's contributions extend far beyond his lifetime. Anglers worldwide still use his techniques and patterns, and his emphasis on natural presentation, upstream nymphing, and attention to detail set a standard that endures.

The video above gives a great historical look at his various nymph patterns. His legacy lives on, inspiring generations to explore the underwater world and connect with nature through nymph fishing.

Remember: whether you're casting a PTN or perfecting your tuck cast, you're following in the footsteps of a genuine pioneer.

Fishing his patterns today

Start with the Bead Head Pheasant Tail Assortment, and broaden the box with the Basics Bead Head Nymph Assortment — five patterns across three sizes. See all fly pattern assortments.

For fishing them the way Sawyer intended, a longer rod gives you far better line control through the drift: the JHFLYCO Euro Nymph Combo or the 23PS Nymph Combo. Tying your own PTNs? The fly tying collection has hooks, wire, and materials.

If you liked this article you'll enjoy Revolutionaries in Fly Fishing: Tibor "Ted" Juracsik.