Killer Nymph, by Parnelli
Step 1. Dress hook shank with white thread.
Step 2. Secure White Ostrich Herl Tip, for Tail Section.
Step 3. Secure White Ostrich Herl for Body.
Step 4. Wrap Hook with White Ostrich Herl.
Step 5. Secure White Ostrich Herl with couple of Thread Wraps
Step 6. Attach and Orange Ostrich Herl.
Step 7. Wrap forward section of Hook Shank
Step 8 Secure with couple of Thread Wraps, and Whip Finish.
I never dressed the Killer Nymph, using other colors of Ostrich Herl, never had a need to do so!
So What Exactly is the Complaint?
Fly Goddess:
"My only question is, I tie a Damsel Nymph out of Ostrich along with the four feather nymph, but is I use it all day, the color fades quite badly. What were once beautiful Olive Ostrich flies are now an off white or pale light green." ~Fly Goddess
You fly fished all day, and catching all those fish, and you are worrried about the color fading on the nymph? Let it dry out, and then use a Sharpie Pen and color the faded coloration for the next time on the stream.
You could also make sure that the ostrich herl color has been fixed by soaking the ostrich herl in a mixture of vinagar and water. Then it should not fade.
Some herls (especially those sold at "Micheal's and "JoAnn Fabric" have water soluable dyes, that wll leech out if the herl gets wet.
As for people catching a lot of fish with this simple nymph pattern, I apoligize. I am willing to take all the blame, although it is not my pattern. For many years, I have hesitated from sharing this fly pattern, for obvious reasons!
~Parnelli :wink:
If you use a Salmon Hook....
If you use a Salmon Hook, and instead of Ostrich Herl, use Emu Herl, you will end-up with a dangerous Salmon/Steelhead fly pattern. Which is also effective on Largemouth & Smallmouth Bass.
Keep it simple, no bells or whistles need to be added.
~Parnelli
Lately I have switched over to using Salmon Hooks, for Streamer Patterns, and using them for Warm Water Fishings, with great results. The Up-Eye on the Salmon Hook, causes the fly to dive when tension is applied to the fly line.
~Parnelli
Up-Eyes on hooks cause the hook to rise toward the surface, and Straight-Eyes on hooks, cause the pattern to travel in alignment with the fly line angle beneath the water. Many anglers do not fully understand the impact the direction and angle of the eye, has on the fly pattern movement.