Nymph Strategies
The immature stage of aquatic insects life
cycle is often referred to as a nymph and is
imitated by a variety of artificial flies.
Because nymphs are such an important part
of the trout's diet, knowing how to most
effectively fish this stage of the insect's
life is important. First, you need to consider
when to fish them. Trout are most interested
in nymphs just before they hatch into mature
insects. However, even when the peak of a
particular insect hatching season is over,
trout still remember and cue into nymphs.
Nymphs are also available to trout as they
move about in weeds and mud searching for
their own food.
Exactly where the nymphs are located in a
particular lake is dependent on the season
and the species of insect. Usually in spring
and fall nymphs are found in weedy shallows,
while in summer and winter they are more likely
to be around deeper weeds. They are also found
at inlets, around natural springs where the
temperature never gets too hot or cold; near
drop offs and mid-water shoals; and at the
bottom in lakes that don't stratify.
Nymphs that are rising to the surface to emerge
as mature insects are often caught in the water
surface film, which is like a tight membrane. As
they wait for their wings to dry and unfold they
are vulnerable to trout. When trout are feeding
on these trapped nymphs at the surface, you can
see both their heads and tails as they scoop up
this readily available food. If trout are feeding
on nymphs which have not reached the water surface
film you will see a bulging rise and part of the
back of the fish. On observing this sub-surface
feeding, use an intermediate, very slow sinking
line or a floating line with a weighted fly. Also,
if you know the direction that nymphs are traveling,
cast so that your artificial fly is moving in the
same direction as the nymphs. For example, the
damselfly nymph must swim to shore to complete
its life cycle. Trout station themselves in
positions to intercept these shoreward bound
insects; therefore, you must cast out toward
the middle of the lake and retrieve toward the
shore in the same direction that the insects
are moving.
The artificial fly you use should simulate the
type, color and size of the insects that are
emerging. Most nymph patterns fished in mid-depths
or near the bottom are fished with sinking lines.
The line has a sink rate matched for the depth
you are fishing, with a 6-9 foot leader and with
a very slow retrieve interspersed with pauses and
jerks. Chapter 5 describes specific types of nymphs
and further strategies for fishing them. ~ PCP
More Strategies next time.
Credits: Excerpt from Float Tube
Magic By Patricia C. Potheir, published
by Frank Amato Publications. We appreciate use
permission.
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