Nymphs
Nymphs are without a doubt the most popular group of fly patterns. They are probably the most varied as well. Because of the success I have had with them, I fish nymph patterns on every single trip regardless of the season. If you happen to be on the water when absolutely nothing is happening on the surface (i.e. a hot, clear, summer afternoon) and you plan on getting your net wet, you had better have a diverse selection of nymphs and some split-shot. The fact that nymph patterns are so varied leads me to believe that fish don't look at nymphs as closely as they do hatching insects. Although it helps to have flies that resemble resident bugs, you don't necessarily have to 'match the hatch' with these sub-surface imitations. These patterns are usually darker and more bulky than emerging styles and you may also find that strikes are a little stronger when fishing a size 16 pheasant tail as compared to the takes you'll get presenting a tiny disco midge. For most of Colorado's prime fisheries, the patterns are similar throughout the seasons. In the spring, before runoff begins, blue-wing olive and pheasant tail nymphs will produce lots of fish. Although caddis activity really picks up after runoff, you can take the occasional spring trout on a buckskin pattern. During the high waters of runoff, try fishing large pheasant tails, hares' ears, and stonefly imitations. Golden stonefly patterns are especially productive on the William's Fork and Colorado rivers. After the water flow decreases in mid to late May, the selection of nymph patterns increases. *common variations
Buckskin BWO nymph Peeking Caddis
*Translucent chamois with *Without legs, flashback *Brown, Olive body
colored underbody
Pheasant Tail Bead-head Hare's Ear Black Stone Nymph
*Olive fibers, Flashback *No bead head, Olive body *Golden, Brown, Grey Body
Rubber Legs
Midges~Dries~Emergers~Terrestrials~Classics
