Restocking the boxes with some great and trusted nymphs: Winter Tying Sessions No.1

So over the next few weeks and months I am restocking my fly boxes with my most trustworthy patterns for next season and as I come across thew good ones Ill post them here in our Winter Tying Sessions so you can have them for next season too. 
To begin I have two perdigons that are a must in my box, I tie them from size 22, 2 mm beads right up to 3.5 mm beads on a Dohiku size 16 jigs or 301 hooks. I always use Dohiku hook I feel they are the best on the market and they take a good sharpen which is important for getting more than one session from your nymphs.
Now I am not a angler that fishes perdigons a lot they can be good alright at times but I do think they have a time and place where they work best, so don't become over reliant on them or spend a heap of time tying random nymphs during the winter just to fill boxes for the sake of it.

These are simple nymphs but they are also tried and tested over the last two seasons. They can be fished in the smaller sizes under a dry fly also. I do find they work best in the hard streamy water when you are euro nymphing and they can be successful in the slower water also under the dry. 

Nymph No.1

Hook: Dohiku Jig or 301 22-16
Bead: White Slotted or countersunk Tungsten 2mm-3.5mm
Thread: Black Tommi-fly Uv reflective tying thread
Tail: Dark Coq de Leon
Rib: White Tommi-fly Uv reflective tying thread (Spin well before winding up the body)
Resin: Solarez Thin UV Resin (put on first coat all over the fly then put your colour resin or marker on the bead and body then re coat for a second time)

Nymph No 2

Hook: Dohiku 301 20-16
Bead: Copper countersunk Tungsten Bead 2mm-3.5mm
Thread: Purple tying thread
Tail: Dark Coq de Leon
Rib: Hot red or hot orange Tommi-fly Uv reflective tying thread (Spin well before winding up the body)
Resin: Solarez Thin UV Resin (put on first coat all over the fly then put your colour resin or marker on the bead and body then re coat for a second time)

The second fly is based on a fly from the great river angler Eammon Conway from Tain Fly Rods, his results on rivers fishing this style of nymphs is outstanding to say the least.
I do love the Tommi-fly UV threads for doing the majority of this style of fly tying and its ideal for fine ribs and hot spots. It is a fine floss with very intensive colours. I also find it retain it intensity when covered with the resin where other flosses like glo-brite can be too heavy and become kind of translucent when covered.
 On our next winter tying sessions we will be looking at some of my most trustworthy Hares Ear nymphs and caddis grubs, make sure and check it out.
I hope you have enjoyed reading this post and enjoy tying these flies; if you would like to stock up your boxes for this coming year make sure and contact me through facebook or email. If you have any questions or queries please feel free to contact me. Also make sure and check out my website www.piscari-fly.com for all your tungsten beads, Dohiku barbless hooks, Tommi-fly products,the amazing Syndicate Fly Rods, Reels, leaders and much more. Thanks for reading.

Perdigon Nymphs

Over the last few seasons the popularity of The Perdigon Nymphs has be growing on Irish rivers. Perfected by Spanish anglers they are a relatively simple nymph that are renowned to cut through the water and entice stubborn trout to a take.

The sleek design of the nymph offers little or no resistance when it enters the water till it hits the bed of the river and this is a key factor when tying them. It's common characteristics include a good sized tungsten bead on a small hook, the tail is commonly some Coq de Leon. The body can be made up of pretty much any thread, tinsel or fine floss that suits your desired look and retains the slim profile of the nymph.

Coated in a good coat of UV resin the final touch is a black hot spot placed in the thorax area of the fly, commonly used for this is a good permanent black marker. You can put another coat of UV resin over this spot to increase it durability but adding this before the first coat could mean the black running through the thread or tinsel body.

Developed by the Spanish the best part of a decade ago, they were crucial in catching fish in fast water.  They break that surface current quickly and with little resistance in there make up the current finds it hard to drag the nymph away. Another component to its effectiveness is fine strong tippet so this also can not be dragged by the current. 

Unlike other nymphs the Perdigon is not designed to have movement and they can be very effective fishing on heavily fished water with stubborn fish. Also after you have gone through your beat with other nymphs and picked off what fish you can; another run through with these perdigon could produce some extra scores on your card.

This type of water on the right is ideal for this style of nymphing with higher than normal levels and a strong surface current you will something that will cut through that current before it sweeps your nymphs away. While large beads and heavy nymphs will also do the job the fish might not be willing to take them and want something a bit smaller and sleeker. 

Due to there design they can be tied quite small and pack a good punch for their size in getting down to the fish. I generally use my own hand made aggressive leader set up, that helps to speed up the nymphs entry into the water which in turn accelerates the nymphs decent to the bed of the river. continuously maintain contact with the nymph at all times as takes can be fine enough 

Here is some different combinations of these nymphs that I have found to be productive I hope you enjoy them. All the nymphs are tied on Dohiku Barbless hooks either 301's or 303's. you also can add a little extra weight by adding a turn or two of flat lead behind the bead before tying in your thread.

I hope you enjoy fishing and tying these nymphs and thanks for reading my blog, if you would like any other information please feel free to drop me a line on my contact details here and if you are looking for Dohiku hooks or top quality Tungsten Beads feel free to give me a shout for the best prices. 


 If you would like any of these or other patterns tied my contact details are on the right of the page.