Basic Fly Tying #2 (Nymphs & Terrs) – Waterproof Guide to 18 Fly Tying Diagrams
Mark Hopkins Here’s a concise waterproof-friendly guide to 18 essential nymph and terrestrial (terr) fly patterns, perfect for fly tying. These patterns imitate aquatic insects (nymphs) and land-based prey (terrestrials) like beetles, ants, and hoppers.
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Nymph Patterns
1. Pheasant Tail Nymph
– Hook: 12–18
– Tail/Abdomen: Pheasant tail fibers
– Rib: Copper wire
– Thorax: Peacock herl
– Legs: Pheasant tail fibers
2. Hare’s Ear Nymph
– Hook: 10–16
– Tail: Hare’s ear fur
– Body: Hare’s ear dubbing
– Rib: Gold wire
– Wingcase: Turkey tail
3. Prince Nymph
– Hook: 8–14
– Tail: Goose biots (white)
– Body: Peacock herl & gold tinsel
– Wingcase: White goose biots
4. Copper John
– Hook: 12–18
– Tail: Goose biots
– Body: Copper wire/tungsten bead
– Wingcase: Epoxy or thin skin
5. Zebra Midge
– Hook: 16–22
– Body: Black thread + silver wire rib
– Head: Glass bead (optional)
6. Stonefly Nymph (Pat’s Rubber Legs)
– Hook: 4–10
– Body: Rubber legs (black/brown)
– Shellback: Turkey/quill
– Weight: Lead/tungsten
7. Pheasant Tail Soft Hackle
– Hook: 12–16
– Body: Pheasant tail fibers
– Hackle: Partridge feather
8. French Nymph (Euro-style)
– Hook: 10–14
– Body: UV resin + colored dubbing
– Weight: Tungsten bead
9. Disco Midge
– Hook: 18–22
– Body: Fluorescent thread (pink/red)
– Rib: Fine silver wire
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Terrestrial Patterns
10. Foam Beetle
– Hook: 10–16
– Body: Black foam (2 layers)
– Legs: Rubber/sili legs
11. Chernobyl Ant
– Hook: 8–12
– Body: Foam (multi-colored)
– Legs: Rubber/sili legs
12. Dave’s Hopper
– Hook: 8–12
– Body: Deer hair/foam
– Legs: Rubber/sili legs
13. Foam Ant (Flying Ant)
– Hook: 14–18
– Body: Red/black foam (2 segments)
14. Letort Cricket
– Hook: 10–14
– Body: Deer hair/dubbing
– Legs: Knotted pheasant
15. Jassid (Tiny Terrestrial)
– Hook: 18–22
– Body: Peacock herl + thread
– Wing: CDC
16. Stimulator (Hopper-like)
– Hook: 8–12
– Body: Deer hair/yellow dubbing
– Wings: Elk hair
17. Twisted Beetle
– Hook: 10–14
– Body: Twisted foam (black/brown)
18. Parachute Hopper
– Hook: 8–12
– Body: Foam/yellow dubbing
– Wing: Calf hair
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Waterproofing Tips
– Use UV resin or head cement to seal thread wraps.
– Loon Outdoors Hard Head adds durability.
– Sally Hansen’s Hard as Nails (clear nail polish) works for budget waterproofing.
This guide covers foundational patterns for trout, panfish, and bass. For a full waterproof booklet, print on synthetic paper or laminate!
Would you like step-by-step tying instructions for any specific pattern?