There's so few trout patterns that last the test of time... One such pattern is the Prince Nymph- originally the called Brown Forked-tail Nymph. (I could get in to a long paragraph about the history of the "Prince" and it's originators (not Doug Prince as many believe), but there is a lot of tying to do. Perhaps I'll cover the history when I tie the Forked-tail Nymph for the blog.) When a pattern has been around perhaps 80-plus years, we're bound to see variations...
In my opinion, there is no way in hell anyone is going to improve upon the original pattern. However, this shouldn't keep us from being creative nor trying. Normally what happens is sitting down and tweak original patterns for local waters and various conditions or we just don't have the materials needed to tie the original and materials are swapped. Every once in awhile the old "blind squirrel finds a nut."
What I needed was a pattern that had a lot of visual "pop" for winter's rains and spring run off when the rivers became slightly murky, but I found out is this variation can knock it out of the park just about anytime. Give this pattern a go!
Materials:
Hook: Daiichi 1120 (or curved nymph hook) Sizes 10-16 (Size 12 pictured)
Bead: Choice (3.2MM Brite Bead pictured)
Thread: Color to match (I am tying with UTC 70 light olive)
Tail: Biots, Brown
Body: Saltwater Angle Hair, Light Olive
Wing: Biots, White
Collar/Head: Ice Dubbing, Olive Brown
Step 1:
Place hook in vise with the eye pointed down. Wind thread rearward to the bend of the hook and stop in the position pictured.
Step 2:
Tie in two biots with the natural curve facing away from the hook as well as following the natural curve of the hook. Wind thread forward to behind the bead. The biots should splay out to the sides. Tail length is approximately one hook gap. Once the biots are tied in place, the hook should be returned to a normal position.
Rear view. Note the splayed tips of the biots.
Step 3:
Select 10 to 15 strands of Saltwater Angel Hair in a equal mixture of light and dark olive strands. Double the strands over and cut the tips even. Tie in tip first behind the bead and secure with even wraps to an area just ahead of the biots. (We'll be twisting the Angel Hair.) The saltwater version of Angel Hair is much thicker than the normal yet thinner than Flashabou.. It's pretty darn tough!
Grab Angel Hair and slight pull downwards and towards yourself to tighten all the strands. Once you feel the strands are tight enough, keep tension and spin counter-clockwise (clockwise for lefties) to form a noodle without the material doubling over on to itself. Wrap forward to an area just behind the bead, but don't crowd this area. Secure and remove excess
Note the mottled and segmented look? Dynamite! You may elect to apply a thin coat of head cement over the body, if so desired.
Step 4:
Select two white biots. The tips are evened, faced downwards following the curvature of the hook, and the "V" appearance should be wider than normal. I feel this helps the pattern swim better. Tie directly centered over the body. The tips should extend slightly past the bend of the hook.
Top view. Note the wide "V" appearance.
Step 5:
Wind a collar/thorax of olive brown Ice Dubbing. Whip finish. Pick out and brush fibers to the rear. You might find yourself tying dozens of this pattern!
Some other colors combinations I tie are a black and orange body with a black peacock head or a brown and gold body with a golden brown and a slight mix of black peacock for the head..
Hang on.... and course, enjoy!
No comments:
Post a Comment