While out on the river recently, I captured some images of the nymph featured below. This was the first time I had encountered (or maybe just never taken note) of a mayfly nymph with such colouration, a striking two-tone colouration. Unfortunately, I accidentally deleted the top-view image, but the photos I retained inspired me to create a fly that closely represents this nymph.
The pattern detailed in this step-by-step guide is the result of that effort. My aim was to keep the fly as “natural” as possible, with just a touch of UV to give it an extra edge. It has been my go-to pattern for some time, and while I was initially hesitant to share it, I’ve come to embrace the spirit of “sharing is caring”—and I do care!
On my last outing with this fly, I achieved a significant milestone: my first few Largies on Euro Nymphing, alongside a boatload of smallmouth yellows and even a few muddies.... Not foul-hooked, mind you, but hooked squarely in the kisser!
I typically tie this pattern in size #16 with a 3mm copper bead and size #18 with a 2.5mm bead. However, for the purposes of this tutorial, I’ve tied it on a size #14 hook, paired with a 3.5mm copper-coloured tungsten bead.
I generally fish this fly on my dropper, pairing it with a Mustard Caddis or Walt’s Worm on point.
Hopefully, this pattern brings some success to others on the water.
Nymph Image:
Materials:
#16 0r #18 Jig Hook
3mm or 2.5mm Copper slotted tungsten bead
Tail: Coq de Leon
Abdomen:
White GSP (Markers take nice to GSP threads)
Light Olive Marker (This specific brand the colour code is 41)
Dark Olive Marker (This specific brand the colour code is 43)
Fine UV Flash any type/Brand must be fine and must be UV
Fine/XSmall Fine Copper Wire
Thorax:
Olive Hares Blend w/ flash (does not have to have flash)
Olive CDC
Step 1:
Attach thread to the shank and tie in anywhere from 3 to 6 Coq de Leon fibres all the way to before the bend of the hook.
Advance your thread back up to behind the bead.
Step 2:
Attach a piece of fine/Xsmall Copper wire (My copper wire was MIA till literally after the fly was completed) must be fine as I didn’t want the copper wire to influence the fly in any way beside a bit of durability. Next attach a strand of fine UV flash by folding/doubling it over the thread and tie in wrap rearward to the tail. Must be UV Not Pearl...
Step 3:
Build a well-defined taper, this will also allow us to build a good base of the GSP thread for the next step.
Step 4:
Colour in the fly on the bottom and sides with the light olive maker (Code 41)
We start with the lighter olive as the darker olive would easily seep into the thread and over power the light olive.
Step 5:
Next colour in the top of the fly using the dark olive marker by just lightly tapping the marker tip on the thread, this way we don’t
Overpower the light olive as mentioned in step 4.
Step 6:
Wrap the flash all the way up to behind the bead, make sure to separate the two strands of flash (remember we doubled it over in step 2)
The reason being that we do not want to totally block out our two-tone underbody.
Step 7:
Add a tiny bit of Olive dubbing, this is so that the CDC to follow in the next step has a base to prop up on. Remember… Less is more...
Step 8:
Using the Split thread technique, offer a sparse amount of Olive CDC to the thread, spin your bobbin holder clockwise to rope up
Your thread creating a little cdc “brush”. Stroke the fibres in one direct and palmer on.
Step 8A:
Notice how that little dubbing base props the CDC up.
Step 9:
Finish off the thorax with a bit more of the Olive Dubbing. Whip finish and snip the thread free.
You have now officially tied the JoziFly Exhibit X….. Enjoy.
Return to News
