Nymph flies and patterns Tying Instructions by Barry Ord Clarke
Named after the famous East Tennessee River, the Tellico’s origins are as foggy as what it is designed to imitate! Some say a mayfly nymph where others are sure that its a caddis larva… But the colours are similar to … Continue reading Tellico Nymph
Currently one of the most popular caddis patterns, that has a couple of interesting techniques. Holy Grail Caddis pattern Hook: Mustad C49S # 12-16Bead: 2.8 mm tungsten slottedTying thread: Sheer 14/0 BrownRib: UTC Mirage OpalBody: Hares ear dubbingWing case: Pheasant … Continue reading Holy Grail Caddis
One of the classic generic nymphs. Although originally designed to imitate a cased caddis fly, the Zug Bug has proven its effectiveness over many decades. Well worth tying up a few in # 10-16. Zug Bug pattern recipe Hook: Mustad … Continue reading Zug Bug
A semi realistic and extremely effective, yet quick long horn caddis pupa. Tie it with or without a bead head in sizes 12, 14 & 16. Long Horn Caddis Pupa pattern recipe Hook: Mustad C49S # 12-16Bead head: 2.5 mmTying … Continue reading Long Horn Caddis Pupa
A new series of videos for those that are new to fly tying, to accompany my new book, ‘fly tying for beginners’ out later this year. Here I am showing techniques that may look challenging, but are totally achievable with … Continue reading Fly tying for beginners Montana nymph
A new series of videos for those that are new to fly tying, to accompany my new book, ‘fly tying for beginners’ out later this year. Here I am showing techniques that may look challenging, but are totally achievable with … Continue reading Fly tying for beginner’s Hares ear nymph
A new series of videos for those that are new to fly tying, to accompany my new book, ‘fly tying for beginners’ out later this year. Here I am showing techniques that may look challenging, but are totally achievable with … Continue reading Fly Tying for beginners – Pheasant tail nymph
Although an extremely simple tie, the Zebra midge is an essential pattern to have in your box all year round. Tie it in all hook sizes from a 12 to a 20 and in any colour you fancy, be it … Continue reading Zebra midge
Currently one of the most used tied and nymphs, especially in competition circles. An extremely easy tie for an extremely effective pattern for Euro nymphing. Change the hook size, body and collar colour and even tie it on a jig … Continue reading Frenchie Fly
Walt Young’s hares ear pattern, that is one of the simplest but most popular competition jigs. Although an easy tie, there are a few nice techniques in this pattern that are worth learning. Walt’s worm pattern Hook: # 12 Barbless … Continue reading Walt’s Worm
WD 40 fly one of the simplest but most effective mayfly midge larva that you can have in your box. An absolute must for early season fishing! Tie it in sizes from 16 – 22 and in the most popular … Continue reading WD 40 fly
Black Pheasant tail nymph A little, effective variant of the classic that you can fish in both still and running water all year round. A couple of nice techniques here to take further on other patterns. Black pheasant tail nymph … Continue reading Black pheasant tail nymph
Probably Jack Gartside’s best known pattern from the early seventies. Originally designed by Jack as a soft hackle muddler minnow but over the years has proved to be an excellent all round sub surface pattern. Gartside’s Sparrow nymph pattern recipe … Continue reading Gartside’s Sparrow nymph
This variant of the semi realistic Solomon caddis pupa is a relative easy tie and has a few nice techniques to take further on other patterns. Solomon caddis pupa variant pattern recipe Hook: Ahrex FW560 # 12 Tying thread: Sheer … Continue reading Solomon caddis pupa variant
A little jig with a couple of nice techniques for breathing gills and a shell back. Bottom crawler jig nymph pattern recipe Hook: Barbless jig # 12 Bead: 4mm silver slotted Tungsten Tying thread: Sheer 14/0 Olive Tag: Red Floss … Continue reading Bottom crawler jig nymph
An extremely quick and effective winter pattern for searching pocket water. Try it in smaller sizes with a green or yellow body. Red hot chilli pupa pattern recipe Hook: Mustad C49S # 10 Bead: Slotted Tungsten silver 2.8 mm Tying … Continue reading Red hot chilli pupa
A little pheasant tail water boatman/Corixa that is super quick to tie and can be fished effectively both wet or dry. Tied only with pheasant tail and moose mane hair. Corixa – water boatman fly pattern recipe Hook: Mustad R … Continue reading Corixa – water boatman fly
A little cased caddis fly larva that is extremely simple to tie. You can mix and match the hook size and colour of hackles used to match the debris that the larva use in your your local waters. Stick fly … Continue reading Stick fly larva
Take a well known pattern and fish catcher and turn it into a Jig that has a couple of nice techniques and is super fast to tie. What more could you ask for ? Brassie Jig nymph pattern recipe Hook: … Continue reading Brassie Jig nymph
Heres one of my moose mane nymphs, that can be fished wet or dry. Although it may look a little challenging, it’s a relatively straight forward tie that includes a few good techniques that can be put to use in … Continue reading Moose mane nymph
A quick and super easy wire body midge pupa that is almost indestructible. Tie it in whatever colour and size you like. Ultra midge pupa fly pattern recipe Hook: Mustad C49S # 14 or smaller Tying thread: Sheer 14/0 Black … Continue reading Ultra midge pupa fly
One of my ‘go to’ patterns for searching big fish. This great nymph/streamer pattern is a relative easy tie, again using only basic materials. The zonker strip used here is mink but all manner of fur strips can be put … Continue reading Strip nymph – streamer
A nice pattern for most of the larger mayfly nymphs. Not only an easy but semi realistic tie but an extremely effective pattern with some good techniques that can be used for other nymphs. Large mayfly nymph pattern: Hook: Mustad … Continue reading Large mayfly nymph
Although this nymph is approaching 70 years old, it’s originator, Artist & illustrator John Atherton used European kingfisher for the original wing case. Perhaps using its iridescent blue to imitate the gas filled wing case of an emerging nymph, or … Continue reading Atherton Medium nymph
A cracking little nymph with lots of bling. Three great materials, copper wire, Pheasant tail and peacock herl make this a great pocket water pattern that gets down deep quick. Copper pheasant tail nymph pattern recipe Hook: Mustad R73 # … Continue reading Copper pheasant tail nymph
Another good simple pattern that is quick & easy to tie. This generic caddis pupa has a couple of nice techniques and can be tied in a number of sizes, colours and weight to match your hatch or favourite pocket … Continue reading Simple Caddis pupa
One of the most popular patterns in the UK in recent years. When using marabou, the key to getting it right, is to get as much animation in the pattern as possible, it helps using the right marabou in combination … Continue reading Blue flash damsel nymph
A nice little nymph made from one wood duck flank feather. The speckled wood duck feather gives a very realistic nymph appearance to this quick and easy generic pattern. Buy MUSTAD signature hooks Buy VENIARD product on AMAZON:Fly tying tools … Continue reading Wood Duck nymph
One of the first nymphs I ever tied and fished with. Although this has the appearance of a modern nymph it was first tied back in the early 1930’s by Don Martinez from California. A great generic nymph that has … Continue reading How to tie Black Martinez nymph
An extremely quick and easy tie for an extremely effective midge pattern. A great fishing pattern that only requires the most basic of tying skills. Top secret midge pattern recipe Hook: Mustad C49S # 16-26 Tying thread: Sheer brown 14/0 … Continue reading Top secret midge
The scruffy squirrel nymph is a great all rounder and a good alternative to a hares ear. The combination of squirrel dubbing and a rib of Ultra lace tubing makes a very buggy morsel that ticks all the boxes for … Continue reading Scruffy Squirrel nymph
A very quick and easy variant of the classic pheasant tail nymph, using only a sparse amount of materials. One for the box in various sizes and colours. Hook: Mustad R 74 # 10 Tying thread: Sheer 14/0 Tail: Pheasant … Continue reading Magic Glass Pheasant tail nymph
A damsel nymph tied in the Montana nymph style. A great pattern, especially for still waters and as a stalking bug. Tie it in your favorite colours and the more weight you add at the head the more aggressive the … Continue reading How to tie Montana Damsel nymph
Another easy nymph technique for a long slender nymph body style that with a little adjusting will work for most larger mayfly nymphs. Hook: Mustad R75 # 10 Tying thread: UTC 70 Flou Green & Sheer 14/0 Brown Tail: … Continue reading Ultra Lace Mayfly nymph
A nice technique for making realistic mayfly nymph abdomen with simple materials. Hook: Mustad S82 # 8-14 Tying thread: Sheer 14/0 olive Tail: Peasant tail Abdomen: Larva Lace & peacock herl Wing case: Pheasant tail fibres Thorax: Peacock herl … Continue reading How to tie Gill Abdomen nymph
An extremely mobile nymph, that uses only marabou and a copper wire rib. Although very simple the technique has to be learned in order to tie it correctly. Once you have seen this pattern wet or swimming, you’ll be tying … Continue reading Generic Marabou nymph
An nice little wet pattern that imitates a diving egg laying caddis fly. The small Tungsten bead head will put this caddis where it needs to be. The wing and collar creating a trapped air bubble effect. Again a few … Continue reading Bead Head Diving Caddis nymph
A little variant of Andre Puyan’s famous Muskrat mayfly nymph. Muskrat Nymph pattern recipe Hook: Mustad S60 nymph hook # 8-14 Tying thread: Sheer 14/0 Brown Tail: Moose body hair Rib: Copper wire Abdomen: Muskrat fur Wing case: Moose body … Continue reading Muskrat Nymph
One of the first patterns I tied and fished. The original had a Raffia shell back. This quick and easy pattern is still catching fish for me today, in both fresh and salt water. Although chocolate & vanilla is my … Continue reading Chocolate & Vanilla Chomper nymph
This is a diving or egg laying caddis that is fished just under the surface with long slow pulls. The combination of partridge hackle and hen mallard breast feathers is a real fish attractor. Buy MUSTAD signature hooks Buy VENIARD … Continue reading Diving caddis pattern
