Reliable Nymph Fly Patterns on the Partridge SLD4
In this blog post, Ambassador Allan Liddle shares some of the flies that he will be demoing at the BFFI in the coming weeks.
Nymph fly tying patterns are designed to imitate the immature forms of aquatic insects, such as mayflies, caddisflies, and stoneflies, which are an important food source for many fish species. In the water the pattern is intended to simulate the movement and appearance of a nymph as it swims near the bottom of a river or stream, enticing the fish to strike. In this blog post I will provide you with two reliable nymph recipes that have reliably worked well for me throughout the seasons.
The Peacock Black Nymph
An alternative to the French Nymph with the age old black and red combination adapted to form a general year round river or stillwater Nymph for both wild and stocked fish.
Utilising the Peacock Black Quill sub thread gives an interesting and muted sparkle to the body that can prove very attractive to fish and certain helps the fly stand out.
The example in the photo utilises a tungsten copper coloured bead, but I also have these flies with black, gold and silver beads as switching the bead colour can make a big difference when fishing.
| Hook: | Partridge SLD4 Surehold Wet #14 |
| Bead: | 3.2mm copper tungsten countersunk bead |
| Tag: | Semperfli 8/0 floro red waxed thread |
| Thread: | Semperfli 8/0 black waxed |
| Tail: | Natural Coc de Leon fibres |
| Body: | Semperfli Peacock Black Quil Sub thread |
| Thorax: | Heads Black Spextra Dub |
Completed Peacock Black Nymph
The Peacock Hare’s Ear Nymph.
An easy and quick Nymph that is another great all round Nymph for rivers in the Hare’s Ear stable.
Using the Peacock Green Quill Sub thread gives a lovely natural olive hue that shines through the sparsely dubbed Body and thorax.
Works throughout the season for wild trout and also a handy winter Nymph when targeting grayling.
| Hook: | Partridge SLD4 Surehold Wet #14 |
| Bead: | 3.2mm silver tungsten countersunk bead. |
| Thread: | Semperfli Peacock Green Quill Sub (small) |
| Tail: | Natural Coc de Leon fibres |
| Tail: | Peacock Green thread under sparsely dubbed natural Hare’s Ear dubbing. |
| Thorax: | Natural Hare’s Ear dubbing (brush well out) |
Completed Hare’s Ear Nymph
The Black Nymph
An updated version on and old favourite of mine that has featured on the Partridge website a long time ago.
A really easy fly to tie and one that works for me on both rivers and lochs for wild and stocked fish.
Allan Liddle
Based in Moray in Scotland's North East, Allan has specialises with the wild trout from the rivers and burns, lochs and lochans throughout Mainland Scotland and the Isles.
A strong passion for fishing simple dries he feels there's nothing better than to see the fish take off the top, but isn't slow to fish a range of different styles when mood or conditions dictate. Although trout is his first love Allan occasionally chases the Salmon, Grayling stocked fish and even dabbles in salt water when the chance arises.
More from Allan:
Tying a new Deer Hair Emerger Variation
This week Allan provides us with a variation on the Deer Hair Emerger pattern, this time incorporating elements from Bob Wyatt's Dirty Duster patterns. Yes, I know, I've posted Deer Hair Emerger flies many times before but to be honest, it's such a simple but...
The Olive Pete Loch Fly, Tied on a Partridge SLD2
Words and images from PRO-Team member Allan Liddle.Allan Liddle provides us with a recipe and insights for the 'Olive Pete', a great loch fly and searching pattern. One for a bigger wave on our lochs for wild fish or perhaps dead of night surface wake lure style...
The Claret Hedgehog Fly Pattern, tied on an Partridge G3A Sproat
In his latest blog, Allan Liddle discusses a personal favourite, the Hedgehog Fly Pattern.I love Hedgehog flies and have written about this pattern many times and no doubt will do so again. For me, this is the most successful loch pattern I know and one that is both...