Anyway, whilst awaiting a window of opportunity, it seems there is time to share some useful patterns. Whilst the summer allows dry fly to reign supreme, it would be short-sighted to forget the usefulness of nymph fishing. I used to reserve tungsten-furnished nymphs for the depths of winter; now they grace the fly box all year around. Here's a pattern that I picked up from Paul Procter (Thanks Paul!) - and it is similicity itself.
Hook: Your choice of grub hook #16 - #22
Thorax: Tungsten bead
Tail: Rooster hackle fibres
Tie with a build up of thread infront of and behind the bead.
I like to give the whole fly a thin coat of varnish too. Change the thread and bead colour to suit.
This is my first choice when fishing New Zealand style (with a length of mono tied from the bend of the hook). I tend to start with this tippet at about 24-36 inches and adjust as necessary to suit the water in front. A Klinkhamer or Elk hair caddis pattern is my choice of dry.
Another simple (but hugely effective!) pattern is a simple tungsten-headed nymph. I take great enjoyment from tying and sharing these quick-tie, useful nymphs. It's amazing how quickly two-dozen flies appear from the vice's jaws.
Hook: Grub Hook #16 - 22
Tail: Rooster fibres
Abdomen: Olive thread (Powersilk or Sheer are my favourites)
Thorax: Hare's mask
Head: Tungsten bead, black
When fishing water of very changeable depths, I will employ a sliding dropper upon which the dry is tied:
Also I have had some great success with fishing the dry on the point and hosting a spider or light nymph on the dropper. This 'washing-line' style can be highly effective on rivers as it is on still-water. Be prepared to experiment, and reap the rewards. When fishing allows, two nymphs and a dry (Trio) also work well and can really help seek out the fish when they are playing hard to get.
~Dave
8 comments:
Whoah-- those flies are simple but brilliant at the same time. What would that first batch of beaded flies represent-- general attractors? Mayflies?
Regardless, I'm all about flies that are easy to tie-- thanks for sharing!
cheers,
--Brian J.
Thanks Brian. Who knows what they represent. PP suggests small nymphs or pupae. To be honest I really don't think it jatters. What is great is that they are perfect size for many of the smaller nymphs that you see - agile darters etc. Many of the nymphs we all fish are a bit on the big side I think. Often that is fine, but when they are very choosy, these work a treat.
Thanks for visiting the blog.
Cheers,
Dave.
Absolutely love those flies Dave! I've being tying since Feb and many of the flies I tie are small tungsten head nymphs for fishing mostly small rivers in Mid-Wales & Shropshire.
Those look spot on so I'll certainly be having a go at tying some of them soon and testing them out.
Mick.
www.micksflyfishingdiary.blogspot.com
Let me know how you get on Mick. Just waiting for the rain to ease and I'll get out again too...
D.
As usual very nice flies Dave. Just a question about the sliding dropper knot, how do you stop it sliding up and down the leader?
Ian
Hi Ian, Sorry for the belated reply.
The sliding knot will drop to the leader knot. Not perfect, but a useful technique to allow you a little flexbility.
~Dave.
hey Dave !
enjoying your blog. :)
brilliant idea using a Uni knot for dropper rig. i'll test this out tomorrow.
cheers,
marc
Outstanding leader/dropper technique, Dave. I need to test this out the next time I am on the stream. Looks like a perfect way to adapt to changing depths.
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