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Nymph Fly
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Nymph
Like many words shared by science and fly fishing, the work nymph has two meanings: one technical, as used by entomologists, and another more general as used by anglers. To entomologists, nymph refers to the immature stage of any insect with incomplete metamorphosis. That means those insects with three life stages: egg, nymph, and adult. Among aquatic insects, the orders Ephemeroptera (mayflies), Plecoptera (stoneflies), Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies) and Hemiptera (water boatmen and back swimmers) are the principal groups. The immature stage of insect orders with complete metamorphosis is technically called larva. These insects undergo four life stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. The main orders of aquatic insects with complete metamorphosis are Trichoptera (caddisfles), Megaloptera (alderflies and hellgrammites).Coleoptera (beetles), and Diptera (true flies, including mosquitoes, blackflies, and midges).
Most fly fishers use the word nymph to refer to the immature underwater stage of any aquatic insect. They also use the term to describe fly patterns that are fished underwater and imitate the nymphal or larval stages of aquatic insects. Because the word has multiple meanings, it is easy to get confused. Just remember that nymph and larva both refer to the immature stage of insects,and nymph patterns are designed to imitate them. [Nymph-Fishing Rivers and Streams, Rick Hafele,2006]
Oh, thrilling the rise to the lure that is dry When the shy fish comes up to his slaughter Yet rather would I have The turn to my fly. With a cunning brown wink under water. The bright little wink under water! Mysterious wink under water! Delightful to ply The subaqueous fly. And watch for the wink under water
....Edward MacKenzie Skues
Typical Nymph Proportions
This is the main box that will contain the information about the picture that is found in this box. This is an experimental program that is to see how the picture will look in the box. It is hoped that the picture will wrap around the picture as it is floated to the right.
Recommended Nymphing Techniques
| Fish Location | Water Conditions Depth Velocity |
Hot Spot Type | Techniques |
|---|---|---|---|
| Near the bottom | 5-15 ft Slow | Pools in large to medium rivers | Countdown method |
| Near the bottom | 4-8 ft Medium-fast | Runs in large to medium rivers | Shot and indicator Brooks method |
| Near the bottom | 1-4 ft Medium-fast | Runs, riffles, and tailouts | Shot and indicator hinged leader Leisenring lift |
| Near the bottom | 2-6 ft Medium | Pocket water in runs or riffles | Shot and indicator High Sticking |
| Near the bottom | 1-4 ft Slow-medium | Flats in medium to large rivers and pools in small streams |
Shot and indicator Sawyer method Leisenring lift |
| Mid-depth, 2 - 3 feet deep |
5-15 ft Pools | Pools | Hinged Leader |
| Mid-depth, | 2-4 ft Flats | Flats | Sawyer method Shot and indicator Hinged leader Leisenring lift |
| Mid-depth, 2 - 3 feet deep |
4-8 ft Medium-fast | Runs | Shot and indicator Hinged leader Leisenring lift |
| Mid-depth, 2 - 3 feet deep |
14 ft Medium-fast | Riffles and runs | Shot and indicator Hewitt method |
| Near surface, 1 foot deep |
5-10 ft Slow | Pools and flats | Wet-fly swing Skues method |
| Near surface, in film to about | 2-6 ft Medium | Flats and runs | Wet-fly swing Skues method Hewitt method |
| Neaar surface, in film to about 1 foot deep |
1-4 ft Fasr | Runs and riffles | Wet-fly swing skues method Leisenring lift |