I decided to try and make a foam bodied nymph like my Caddis pattern. I used a bead head and a bunch of lead wire to overcome the buoyancy of the foam. To my surprise when I tossed one in my sink the tail suspended and the whole fly pivoted on the bead head. The slightest current made the fly look like it was trying to burrow into the ground. I can’t wait to try this one out. I like to tie nymphs in the round like Charlie Brooks recomended. I think this fly would be better suited to slower moving pools so that it wouldn’t tumble too much. Who knows, if it would stop raining I’d go try it out. Let me know what you think.
Underwater photos (I need to buy a fish tank):
David Kratville
[This message has been edited by davkrat (edited 05 March 2006).]
Hi David! Just copied and stored the pics in my fly tying directory! You’re right - if they behave in the water like they do in the sink this one could be a killer as well.
Bob
Dave,
Those are some fine looking nymphs!! I’d say they would work great … especially with them standing on their head like that. I hope you can post some fishing results in the future.
Nice looking fly! I’m making a copy of the pics too for future tying reference.
If you want the fly to sit flatter, maybe use smaller beads (metal) along the shaft of the hook with thread holding them towards the back. Then, put the foam over those and tie it between the beads (i.e.: use the small beads as an underbody which gets covered by the foam).
You might have to use a smaller bead on the head though to reduce total weight.
Or, maybe use a glass bead for the head and just a lead or bead underbody for more even weighting.
Thanks everyone. I actually used the bead head and about 16 wraps of .025 lead wire. I wrapped from about the hook point forward to the bead. I was actually thinking of doing a bugger this way too. That would be a pretty good crawdad pattern I’d think. I imagine in flowing water the nymph would be pushed down flatter along the bottom. It really wiggles nicely with they slightest movement. I had to wait quite a while to take the pictures because the fly kept moving. In still water I think this will be a good fly, I’ll have to work up some dragonfly nymphs. With the large bead head and all that lead this fly would probably fish nicely on an ultralight spinning rig. Luckily I just got a SA nymph taper line which really helps turn over heavy weighted flies like this. I am a firm believer that dry flies should float and wet flies should sink so I tend to tie pretty heavy flies.
He’s got lead on the hook shaft already but the bulk of the weight is up front. I was brainstorming ways to distribute the weight a bit more evenly though having it just slightly forward of center would let the fly have a nice up/down motion as you pull on the line and release a little slack.
Sounds like it would be pretty active just sitting down on the bottom as-is. I know a river that’s crystal clear all the way to the bottom. I’d love to toss one of these just upstream of holding trout and see how they respond to the fly wiggling its butt in their face.
Hi All! You guys just answered what my next question was going to be - the weight distribution. I wanted to get some tyers notes to add to the pictures, and this will do it.
Thanks,
Bob
Bob,
-I slide on the bead head and then piearce the thicker piece of foam onto the hook.
-put the hook in the vice and wrap the lead wire forward from the point of the hook.
-attach the thread at the bend and then I doubled over a piece of rubber leg which I actually bent around the shank. It gets pinched between the foam and the hook. The tie in point of the foam secures them. I then put a bit of superglue down and held the tails in it to get them to stay positioned. One note the glue can really mess up the legs if it gets on them so try not to drag them through the glue.
-I then put on a piece of razor foam that I trimmed to the same shape as the tail. If you ar quick and prepared (I usually am not) you can use the same superglue you used for the tail. At any rate hold the razor foam until the glue dries.
-I tried adding a piece of wire for ribbing but I think thread works better especially if you make several wraps at each segment. I used black in these pictures but I have since tied a golden stone using yellow floss and it really looks good against the dark brown foam.
-I then wrap forward making the segments making sure that the side that will become the top has the thread running straight across the body. If you match the thread to the underside as I discussed in the last step you can barely see the diagonal wraps that advance the thread.
-Wrap all the way to the bead and then come back one or two segments and tie in the side legs. Wrap forward to the bead and then fold the front legs back and secure them so they are swept back. Nymphs always swim with their legs back.
-I used some dubbing to cover up the section where the legs get tied back just to make it look a little nicer. You could possibley use dubbing for the last couple segments and tie in wingcases here instead. That way you wouldn’t need to overcome as much buoyancy with half as much foam and could make a lighter fly. It might change the action as well.
There are several in this wallet tied with razor foam. I think the best is the first from the left in the middle row. The foam is coated with Loon’s soft epoxy. A couple are ribbed with red wire before coating.
That tying in the round concept is a terrific one for quick ties to fish with. As you can see, however, I made myself a little crazy. I’m going to try your version next. Or go fishing!
Well this rain might keep me from fishing but I’ve been tying like crazy. Here is a pic of the yellow floss golden stone and then also a Crawdad variation I tied this morning. Well time to go off to work.
I’m a fan of tying in the round as well. More floatation and a much more realistic look. BTW, if you are interested in tying tail “extensions” in the round, check out Alberto Jimeno’s Sougehan Hopper right here at FAOL. He shows a neat technique he got from the Flytyers Ref Guide that uses a needle to do an extension prior to attaching the rest of the foam to the hook. Simple and really works well. I got some dollhouse needles from the craft store (Prym-Dritz) that go in the vise. Nice sized needles at practically nothing in cost. Could use for a bodkin as well. Anyway, lots of good ideas flowing!
Bob
Those are some nice looking flies. I might have to try something like that for some of the lakes I fish in the summer. I might try a few on the Madison in the spring before the stonefly hatches (about the only time I use nymphs on rivers/streams). One question…do you use tungsten Beadheads with these flies?
Those are some great looking flies. It ain’t raining down here in Texas so if you want to send me a few I would be happy to test them for you!?!@? Just trying to help you out…no selfish motives at all.
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