SUNSHINE FLY CLUB HOME PAGE

Royce Dellar’s Extra Special Black nymph

The nymph is by far the most widely tied of all flies and comes in variations such as bead head, Hare and copper, Pheasant tail and numerous other types. It is the first fly that most new fly fishermen tie and is a definite must have fly in all tackle boxes. Tiers such as Chris Myszka and Steve Varga have hundreds of variants in their tackle boxes. Just ask them for a look.

The fly is deadly both in rivers and lakes and reputedly is responsible for 70% of the fish taken. Colours vary from black to brown and olive and all shades in between. Lift up and study the colours and shapes of the submerged insects under the rocks as this will help you in your fly selection

Tie in a tail of hen or equivalent tail feathers. Add silver, copper or gold wire. Add wax to your thread and dub on seal’s fur or other appropriate dubbing. Lead can be tied on to weight down the fly or a gold bead can be added.

Dub on seal’s fur to about the halfway mark. Wrap wire through fur to form body segments. Tie off the wire.

Now add wing case. This can be black crow feather, or mottled turkey, blackbird, a bit of crystal flash tied in as a bunch or even glo bug yarn as in Pat O’Keefe's New Zealand fly. Trim off excess. Dub on body and flip over the wing case and tie off. Add cement and fluff up body.

Fly pattern by Royce Dellar. Photo’s courtesy Steve Varga