Fly Of The Week
A.P. Olive Crystal Nymph
A.P. Olive Crystal Nymph
By Terry Hellekson, Photos by Jim Schollmeyer
Previous Flies
Fly Tying Terms

A.P. Olive Crystal Nymph

I first introduced Andy Puyan's Nymphs in Popular Fly Patterns in 1976. Since that time I believe everyone in the international fly fishing community has come to recognize the true meaning of "A.P." Not just from my books, however, but from the many unselfish contributions he has made to our sport. You will find many references to Andy in this book. Not as many as he deserves, because this gentleman does not even know the meaning of "inflated ego." He shares his talents freely and there are a multitude of fly patterns out there that bear the names of others. Knowing that he was the sire of these creations does not bother him.

Dubbing the tiny heads on these patterns is optional. The Crystal Nymph variations of these patterns were some of the very first to evolve after the advent of Crystal Hair over ten years ago. You will find them scattered throughout North America and known by many different names. I hope that not too many bubbles were burst by my setting the record straight here.

The unique manner that the A.P. series of nymphs are so easily tied can be incorporated into many other patterns. The following step by step tying procedure will assist you.

A. P. Olive Crystal Nymph

    Hooks:  TMC3761 or DAI1550, sizes 8-15.
    Thread:  Olive.
    Tail, Wingcase and Legs:  CH15 olive Crystal Hair.
    Ribbing:  Fine gold wire over abdomen only.
    Abdomen and Thorax:  Dubbed with #19 olive lambs wool.
    Head:  Dubbed with #19 olive lambs wool.

Tying Instructions:

1. Tie in lead wire at the thorax if you desire your fly to be weighted. Enough material for the tail, wingcase and legs is tied in just to the rear of the lead wire. Amount of material needed is determined by the size hook being used. Material is secured with your thread and surplus which is not needed to form the tail is trimmed off..

2. Make a few turns of thread under the tail to lift and spread it and tie in ribbing.
3. Dub the abdomen and complete the wire ribbing of the abdomen.

4. Thorax is then dubbed in the same manner as the abdomen except larger. Wingcase is pulled over the thorax and tied in. Legs are formed by bringing the tying thread back to a position just in front of the thorax and separating the material to each side and securing with tying thread. Excess material is then clipped off. ~ Terry Hellekson

We thank Frank Amato Publications Inc. for use permission for this excerpt from Fish Flies, Volume One.