Fibres of grey speckled partridge.
This pattern is by Al Caucci and Bob Nastasi, authors of Comparahatch (1973) and Hatches (1975).
The following five excellent catchers of trout and other nymph-eating fish utilise another magical natural material, peacock herl. See also: BLACK & PEACOCK SPIDER, see here. They are ‘suggestive’ of things like stonefly and stone-crawler upwinged fly nymphs, and the fact that trout often take them eagerly makes them good fishing flies.
PEACOCK HERL NYMPH (DAVE HUGHES)
Hook: Nymph, sizes 8–14.
Thread: Black.
Tails: 0.
Body: Peacock herl.
Legs: Black hen hackle, either 1 turn or a bunch of fibres tied false.
Head: Black ostrich herl.
PRINCE NYMPH
Hook: Nymph, sizes 10–16.
Thread: Black.
Tails: 2 brown goose biots, kept separate by a tiny ball of fine brown dubbing.
Body: Peacock herl.
Rib: Fine oval gold tinsel.
Hackle: Short-fibred brown hen, 2 turns.
Wings: 2 white goose biots, tied low over body.
ZUG BUG
Hook: Nymph, sizes 10–16.
Thread: Black.
Tails: Tips of three green peacock sword feathers.
Abdomen: Peacock herl.
Rib: Fine oval silver tinsel.
Thorax: Peacock herl.
Wing cases: Slip of wood duck flank feather (or drake mallard flank dyed wood duck).
Hackle: Speckled brown hen or partridge, 2 turns.
STIMULATOR
Hook: Nymph, sizes 8–12.
Thread: Dark brown.
Tail: Bunch olive or olive-brown marabou.
Body: Peacock herl.
Body hackle: Natural red (brown) henny-cock, palmered in open turns.
Rib: Copper wire.
KAKAHI QUEEN NYMPH
Hook: Nymph, sizes 12–14.
Thread: Brown.
Tails: Tuft brown hen hackle fibres.
Abdomen: Peacock herl.
Thorax: Burgundy (brown) floss.
Wing cases: Dark mallard quill slip.
Legs: Two small bunches brown hen hackle fibres.
Although the KAKAHI QUEEN NYMPH was designed by Norman Marsh (in Trout Stream Insects of New Zealand) to match the spiny-gilled mayfly Coloburiscus humeralis, it is a good all-round catcher of trout elsewhere.
AUSTRALIAN HAIR NYMPH
Hook: Nymph, sizes 12–16.
Thread: Brown.
Tail: 4–5 fibres speckled brown partridge.
Body: Rabbit underfur tied slender.
Rib: Fine oval silver tinsel.
Thorax: Hare’s mask.
Wing cases: Slip from speckled partridge tail.
Legs: Guard hairs teased from thorax.
TOM JONES
Hook: Nymph, sizes 8–14.
Thread: Black.
Tails: A few fibres black squirrel tail.
Body: Kangaroo, either natural buff-brown or dyed olive.
Wings: As body.
Many Australians use kangaroo fur in their flies. It is a lovely fur to use, but not often available elsewhere in the world. This fly was devised by John Lanchester to match the red fin fly in the rivers of Victoria, but should be a useful general nymph anywhere.
The following two nymphs are by Jean-Paul Pequegnot, author of Repertoire des Mouches Artificielles Francaises (1984).
PRECIEUSE (PRECIOUS)
Hook:
