Throughout the winter and in early spring, fly fishing with nymphs is my favorite type of trout fishing. I often use nymphs as a dropper below a dry fly on 2 or 3-fly rigs.
- Mr. Rapidan Emerger size 14. I developed this to match the emerging form of the Quill Gordon naturals. It is the most effective fly I have found for this. Fish it upstream with a slow rod lifting motion from the riffles all the way down into the main part of the pool. I also do well with this on the large streams in Montana by fishing across stream below the riffles with a slow swimming action.
- Murray’s Dark Stonefly Nymph size 12, 14. This natural nymph is present in most freestone streams and the trout feed heavily upon them. I get my best action by fishing these upstream dead drift along the stream bottom in the deep pockets below the riffles. In order to help detect the strikes I use my Murray’s Trout Nymph Leader with Murray’s Fly Shop Indicators spaced along it.
- Murray’s Yellow Stonefly Nymph size 14. Many freestone trout streams have great numbers of these beautiful little nymphs living in the moss which covers the boulders below the water level and in the leaf jams. The hatch may last several months so fish these nymphs dead drift beside these boulders and in the back eddies. The strikes are often very gentle so keep alert when fishing these Little Yellow Stonefly Nymphs.
Mr. Rapidan Soft Hackle Nymph. I developed these to match the emerging forms of many mayflies and caddisflies. The sizes 10, 12, 14 & 16 are used primarily for trout all across the country. Size 12 & 14 in olive are great when the natural caddisflies hatch. The size 16 olive is my favorite when the beatis start hatching. The sizes 8 & 10 are great for smallmouth bass matching the hexagenia, brown drake and caddis. Fish all of these across and downstream at a 20 degree angle with a slow six inch rod lifting action every five seconds.
Bead Head or Heavier Nymphs
- Mr. Rapidan Bead Head size 14. This fly effectively matches the natural nymphs of the Epeorus pleuralis and three of the Stenonemas mayflies which are found in many mountain trout streams in great numbers in their full sizes from March through May. Fish these upstream dead drift below the riffles on a Murray’s Mountain 6ft 5X leader.
- Bead Head Prince Nymph. Large trout are strongly attracted to the Prince Nymph. In the trout streams in the Shenandoah Valley and large rivers in Montana, this is a very productive fly. A good technique is to fish this nymph on a 2ft 5X mono dropper under a Mr. Rapidan Parachute Dry.
- Perdigon Nymphs. These feature a glass bead in the front with hackle fibers that gives the fly a realistic look. Tied on a barbless hook and designed to sink faster, swim deeper and stay deeper than regular nymphs. I frequently fish as a dropper below a Mr. Rapidan Dry.
- The effectiveness of the Jigged Tungsten Hare’s Ear comes from the naturally spikey hare’s mask dubbing with its natural tans & grays along with just enough flash from the tinsel ribbing to bring some attention to it as it drifts. It is an extremely versatile fly that imitates many insects. Then use a Murray’s Trout Nymph Leader to fish this upstream dead drift along the stream bottom where it mimics many natural mayfly nymphs.
- The Copper John Jig. Tied on a barbless hook allowing easy release of the fish without harm. The weighted head helps you get your fly down to where you need it especially in faster water. Copper John patterns have always been a favorite on the trout streams in Virginia whether you are fishing for brookies, rainbows or browns.