Euro Nymphing Flies
Euro-nymphing fly selection is all about weight (sink rate) and size rather than having numerous different patterns in your fly box. I suggest you try and keep your selection down to about five or six of your favourite patterns and have these in a few different sizes (14, 16 and 18), and varying weights (2mm, 2.5mm, 3mm maybe even 3.5mm tungsten beads). The addition of a hot spot, flash back or UV collar might be the difference on some days.
I use a lot of attractor type flies that mimic a few different types of bugs, some patterns mimic absolutely nothing that resembles a bug at all, but they work very effectively.
I tie most of my flies for The Central West & Blue Mountains, Snowy Monaro and Victorian Highlands on Hanak 450 jig hooks sizes 14 through to 18, using the best quality Hanak tungsten beads from sizes 2mm through to 3.5mm, and occasionally 4.0mm.
Some like the Promoter are just fairly plain pattern with a dub and hackle collar and a Glo-brite rib, while others have a UV hot spot or Glo-Brite butt tag , like the Blowtorch, Tassie Devil or Dirty Politician.
As a guide to sink rate/s (Fastest to Slowest) here’s some design types.
1 - Resin body no collar or dubbing - Perdigon (Spanish for pellet)
2 - Quill or Cotton body (usually resin coated) with a dubbed collar (maybe with a little CDC) - Space X or Jack Daniels.
3 - Dubbed body with hackle collar - Blowtorch, Dirty Politician or Tassie Devil.
4 - Dubbed body with hackle and rubber legs, or, a heavily hackled fly like the Promoter.
Why do I use Hanak hooks and tungsten beads?
The answer is very simple - the Hanak Competition products are world class, the hook sizes and hook weights are consistent with razor sharp points. the beads are all consistent weight and shape and colour. The Hanak product is used by multiple World Champions, hence “The Winners Choice !”
If you need any assistance getting started or working out, or which flies to buy, head on over to my shop or drop me a message.
The Blowtorch - designed by Devin Olsen.