Most fish feed below the surface, and Trout are no exception. So, when you go fly fishing for these majestic creatures, you need to utilize something that imitates the insects that these fish feed on beneath the water. That’s where nymph fishing comes in.
Nymphs are insects in subadult stages, and they’re prolific in the aquatic world. Anglers – more specifically, fly anglers – need to really understand the value of nymphs and the techniques used to imitate these insect species. Let’s take a closer look…
What is nymph fishing?
Nymph fly fishing is the process used to imitate the nymphal lifecycle of an insect. These insects live beneath the surface in large numbers, where they cling to rocks and swim and crawl around. They’re vulnerable and constitute a major calorie source for Trout. Bluegill, Whitefish, Suckers and many other species also eat nymphs, but Trout really focus on specific varieties.
Most nymph imitations are flies that are tied with fur, feathers, and synthetic materials. Most flies have a head, thorax, abdomen, and tail to imitate various mayflies, stoneflies, and other insects in the water. Size, color, and shape can be general to match a wider range of insects or very specific to an exact insect that’s abundant.
What is the difference between a fly and a nymph?
Fly fishing arsenals include dry flies that imitate the adult phase of insects. Streamers are also common and they imitate crayfish, minnows, and other forage. Most anglers fish streamers with quick movements to imitate fleeing prey. Meanwhile, other flies are made for unique and very specific applications, such as mice that skitter on the surface.
We know what nymphs imitate but there’s another similar subsurface life cycle that involves larva and pupa phases. The techniques for these imitations overlap and fly shops label nymphs to cover both. For the purpose of this section, I’ll include that lifecycle under the general nymph category, too.
Incomplete vs Complete Metamorphosis
It’s important to understand the distinction between the two life cycles. Incomplete metamorphosis refers to insects that develop in the order of egg-nymph-adult. Common insects in this category include mayflies, stoneflies, damselflies, and dragonflies.
Complete metamorphosis refers to the lifecycle of egg-larva-pupa-adult. Think of this in terms of a moth or butterfly. It’s the same thing but occurs in aquatic environments, only the adults live outside of the water. Common insects include caddisflies and they’re extremely abundant in cold water streams. Fly patterns that overlap with the nymph category imitate the larva and pupa stages.
When to use a nymph?
There’s rarely a bad time to use a nymph, especially for Trout and Whitefish. If you visibly see fish eating on the surface, skip the nymph and choose a dry fly. Otherwise, a nymph is generally the first choice for prospecting and finding fish.
I like fishing streamers simply because it’s fun. But on many days, a nymph will outperform a streamer all day. If the streamer action is slow, I quickly switch to nymph fishing.
Anglers can fish a nymph as a dropper beneath a dry fly. This approach is great for summer Trout fishing when fish are eating both nymphs and dry flies. Using two nymphs down deep is also a great approach throughout the entire year.
Nymph Fly Fishing Techniques
Below, I’ll run through a few of the most common nymph fishing techniques. There are more that do the job but these will cover just about any situation. Study the basics, practice rigging at home, and these can really accelerate your nymph fishing success.
Swinging Nymphs & Wet Flies
When nymphs and pupa emerge, they move quickly towards the surface. Once they reach the surface, they fight to pull through the water tension where they develop wings and fly into the air. Imitating the emerger phase is often done by swinging nymphs and wet flies through the water column. Using a weighted nymph or adding a small amount of split shot will help when swinging flies.
Dead Drifting & Suspended Nymphs
Oftentimes, nymphs float through the water without appearing to swim much at all. They’re at the will of currents and anglers can imitate this helpless state by dead drifting. Using a strike indicator to float with the nymph or nymphs dropped below is a great technique. Anglers can set the depth and follow the indicator through currents. When the indicator pulls beneath the water, it means a fish has eaten the nymph (or you snagged on something).
High Sticking
This technique gets the nymphs down deep without the use of a strike indicator. There are various names for these techniques, such as Euro- and Czech-style. The technique involves using weighted nymphs or split-shot to sink flies and bounce them along the bottom.
Top Producing Nymph Fly Patterns
Fly shop shelves are loaded with hundreds – if not thousands – of nymph patterns. The volume of options can become overwhelming but there are a few trusted flies that are always a good choice.
- Hare’s ear. This classic pattern works well to imitate general mayflies. It has a wide body that’s especially good for clinger mayflies. It can also produce on the swing as a caddis pupa.
- Prince nymph. Tied with peacock herl, this fly has high visibility, especially in low-light conditions. It’s a perfect pattern for general nymph fishing throughout the entire year.
- Rubber legs. Tied with a chenille body and rubber legs, this pattern represents a stonefly and works just about everywhere.
- Pheasant tail. As a more slender pattern, this one is perfect for imitating swimmer mayflies.
- Copper John. You can’t go wrong with this heavy pattern. It’s a favorite nymph for general imitations. I like the traditional copper, red, and zebra color patterns.
Nymph Fly Fishing FAQs
Get Ready to Elevate Your Fly Fishing Game!
Fishing with nymphs isn’t overly complicated but it does take some practice. In rivers, reading the currents and making realistic presentations is the biggest challenge. Learning to find fish along seams, in tailors, and throughout riffles and runs is something that requires practice. Do some experimenting, get your nymphs down deep and before long, you’ll be catching more fish than ever. Get out there and put your knowledge into practice!
What are your favorite nymph fishing flies and techniques? Maybe you have a question for us? Share away in the comments below!
