How To Tie Nymph Fly Patterns

Fishing nymph patterns in rivers and streams is one of the most effective forms of fly fishing. The following instructions are for a basic nymph pattern that can be adapted to various situations by changing the color or type of materials used to tie the fly.

Things You'll Need

  • Fish hook
  • Vise
  • Thread
  • Scissors
  • Rabbit fur
  • Copper wire
  • Pheasant tail feather
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Instructions

    • 1

      Clamp the hook in the vise. Make sure that the shaft and point of the hook are exposed.

    • 2

      Wrap the thread around the hook shaft three to four times near the beginning of the hook bend.

    • 3

      Create a tail by placing five to ten pheasant tail feather fibers along the hook and wrapping the thread around the thick end of the fibers at the point where the hook bend begins. Tie in the wire by wrapping the thread around the wire at the same point on the hook.

    • 4

      Attach dubbed (blended) fur to the thread by rubbing the fur and thread between your thumb and forefinger. The fur will adhere to the thread and form a long cylinder of fur around the thread.

    • 5

      Wrap the fur-covered thread around the hook to form a fur body that covers approximately 3/4 of the hook shaft.

    • 6

      Wind the wire forward over the fur body to create a segmented appearance. Tie the wire off by wrapping the thread over the wire at the 3/4 point on the hook. Trim away any excess wire.

    • 7

      Tie in a segment of the pheasant tail feather by winding the thread over one end of the feather segment.

    • 8

      Create another fur cylinder on the thread. Form the rest of the nymph's body by wrapping the fur to a point just behind the eye of the hook.

    • 9

      Fold the pheasant tail feather segment over the newly created portion of the fur body. Wrap the thread over the other end of the feather segment at a point just behind the eye of the hook. Trim away any excess feather.

    • 10

      Form a small head by wrapping the thread five to 15 times around the hook shank just behind the eye of the hook. Tie off the thread and trim away any excess thread.

    • 11

      Place a drop of varnish on the head of the fly and let the varnish dry before adding the finished nymph pattern to your other fishing flies.