Hare and Copper Nymph
Probably NZ’s most popular nymph and the first nymph most beginner tiers will tackle. The Hare and Copper Nymph catches fish throughout the country in a variety of waters. The guard hairs used in the mix represent legs and give the fly that buggy look that’s very effective.
The standard pattern is tied without a bead, with or without weight depending on the fishing situation. All sizes catch fish. Tying these on shorter hooks result in more hook in relation to the fly size, giving better hook ups.
Source: Flyshop.co.nz
Materials
- Hook: Size 10 -16. Kamasan B175 or Tiemco 3769 (these are both short, strong Nymph hooks).
- Thread: Danville Pre Waxed Thread 6/0 Brown or Black.
- Head: Bead to suit conditions.
- Tail: Pheasant tail fibres or Ginger Brown Hackle fibres.
- Body: Hare Fur with plenty of guard hairs.
- Ribbing: Copper wire, medium.
- Thorax: Hare Fur with plenty of guard hairs.
- Weight: Tungsten, Brass – Black, Copper or Gold and Lead wire.
Step 1
Firstly choose the size bead you want for the weight of the fly, pictured is a #10 hook with a #3.8mm tungsten bead. Apply glue to the hook shank then wrap the hook shank with lead wire for additional weight. I’ve used .025 lead wire here. The length of wire is important as it will help form the taper to shape the body of the nymph.
Bind the lead with a layer of thread and apply more glue to hold all firmly in place.
Step 2
Next we tie in the tail which is a clump of hackle fibers and some copper wire. Taper the body as you wrap it with thread.
Step 3
Firstly choose the size bead you want for the weight of the fly, pictured is a #10 hook with a #3.8mm tungsten bead. Apply glue to the hook shank then wrap the hook shank with lead wire for additional weight. I’ve used .025 lead wire here. The length of wire is important as it will help form the taper to shape the body of the nymph.
Bind the lead with a layer of thread and apply more glue to hold all firmly in place
Step 4
Then wind the wire forward to the head, I tend to wind it the opposite way to help hold all in place, then a couple of winds behind the bead, pull tight, cut off and tie in. Whip finish, glue and you are done
Ready to catch a fish!
Alternative – Goldhead Bug
- Hook: Size 10 -14.
- Thread: Brown.
- Head: Gold bead.
- Tail: Pearl Crystal Hair, cut short.
- Body: Brown, cream, olive or brown fur.
- Ribbing: Fine oval gold tinsel.
- Thorax: Orange or red fur.
- Underbelly: Lead wire.
Tying Instructions: Modern Ice Fishing
pp. 112-13, Fly Tyers Bible
