How to Tie a Nymph Fly

Nymph flies are tied to represent the subsurface life cycle of several aquatic insects. The mayfly and stonefly nymphs are common fly patterns that are tied for trout, steelhead and bass fishing. The basic nymph is defined by the existence of a tail, abdomen, thorax and head. Mayfly nymphs also display gills, and the tail has three prongs. Stonefly nymphs have a two-pronged tail and a thick abdomen. Tying the nymphs is accomplished by replicating the basic anatomy of the insect and matching their natural color and size.

Things You'll Need

  • Vise
  • Nymph hook, size 8 to 18
  • Hare's mask
  • Medium oval tinsel
  • Dubbing wax
  • Turkey tail
  • Whip finisher
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Instructions

    • 1

      Clamp the hook in the fly tying vise and apply light pressure with you finger to ensure it is locked in place. Begin wrapping the thread at the middle point on the hook shank and wrap it forward to the hook bend.

    • 2

      Cut a small clump of hare's mask fibers from the cheek of the rabbit. Hold the fibers on top of the hook at the bend. Wrap the thread around the fibers six times to secure them in place as a tail.

    • 3

      Cut a 10-inch section of medium oval tinsel from a spool. Hold the spool on the top of the hook bend and make six tight thread wraps to secure it to the hook.

    • 4

      Dab the thread with dubbing wax to hold the rabbit fur in place. Cut a chunk of fibers from a hare's mask and use your fingers to blend the fibers. Place the fibers against the waxed thread and twist the fibers around the thread with your fingers. Wrap the dubbed thread two-thirds of the way down the hook shank.

    • 5

      Wrap the tinsel over the abdomen in a diagonal pattern. The tinsel creates a ribbed pattern on the abdomen to represent the natural segments of a nymph. Stop the tinsel at the thread and wrap the thread around the tinsel four times to secure it in place. Cut away the extra tinsel to create a tag end that is flush to the hook shank.

    • 6

      Cut a section of turkey fibers from a tail feather that equals the width of the abdomen. Hold the fibers on the top of the hook at the thread. Position the fibers with the main section facing the tail of the fly and make five thread wraps to secure the fibers to the hook.

    • 7

      Apply dubbing wax to the thread and cut a clump of fibers from a hare's mask. Blend the fibers with your fingers and twist them on the thread. Dub the last one-third of the hook into a thick ball that is roughly twice the thickness of the abdomen. Stop the thread at the eye of the hook.

    • 8

      Pull the turkey fibers over the back of the thorax to create a wing case. Hold the turkey at the eye of the hook and make five thread wraps to secure the wing case. Cut away the excess length of turkey fibers.

    • 9

      Use a whip finisher to create a knot at the head of the fly. Cut the thread spool flush with the hook to finish the fly.