Bodkin / Patterns

Isonychia Drake Nymph

Nymph · Trout · Advanced · 1 version

Reference Recipe

  • Hook 2x-long nymph, 10-14
  • Thread Dark brown 8/0

Materials

  • Lead wire Gray lead wire (8-10 turns)
  • Pheasant tail fibers Dark mahogany (3 for tail, a few for wingcase)
  • Floss or biot Cream/white floss or biot (1 strand for dorsal stripe)
  • Copper wire Copper wire (fine, for rib)
  • Dubbing Dark claret/mahogany (pinch)
  • Partridge or hen hackle Brown hen hackle (1 feather for legs)
  • Peacock or dark thorax dubbing Dark brown-black peacock or thorax dubbing (pinch)

How to tie it

  1. Start thread and wrap 8-10 turns of lead wire over the thorax area, then bind and taper the ends with thread.
  2. At the bend tie in three dark pheasant tail fibers, splayed slightly, for a tail half a shank long.
  3. Tie in the fine copper wire and a single strand of cream floss at the bend, leaving both trailing to the rear.
  4. Dub a slim, slightly tapered mahogany abdomen forward to the 60% mark.
  5. Pull the cream floss tight over the top of the abdomen to form the distinctive pale dorsal stripe, bind it at 60%, then counter-rib with the copper wire in 5 open turns to lock the stripe and segment the body.
  6. Tie in a small bundle of pheasant tail fibers at 60% pointing forward over the eye to become the wingcase.
  7. Dub a fuller dark thorax, then tie in a partridge feather and take one or two turns for swept-back legs.
  8. Pull the wingcase over the thorax, bind behind the bead area, whip finish, and cement.

Tying videos

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