The Purple Prince Charming, designed by Paul Johnson and featured in the July 2024 edition of the FFI Whip Finish Journal, represents a thoughtful evolution of the classic Prince Nymph. Originally inspired by a derivative pattern called the Prince Charming, which was showcased several years ago in Fly Tyer Magazine, Johnson set out to make subtle yet impactful modifications. His goal was to create a fly that would both visually appeal to anglers and effectively entice fish.

To achieve this, he replaced the original marabou tail with Zelon, opted for a purple stretchy floss for the abdomen, and simplified the thorax construction. Additionally, he incorporated three full turns of dry fly hackle. Johnson believes this hackle distinguishes the fly from other Prince Nymph variations. These changes, he argues, result in a fly that not only catches his eye but also proves highly successful on the water.

Paul Johnson has extensively tested the Purple Prince Charming throughout the Driftless area and Yellowstone National Park, achieving notable success. He employs this fly both under an indicator and as a dropper in a dry-dropper rig, showcasing its versatility.

Johnson’s innovation did not stop with just one colour; he expanded the pattern’s palette to include red, olive, pink, copper, and even chartreuse. He believes the hackled collar, which can trap air bubbles and mimic an emerging nymph, is a key feature that sets the Purple Prince Charming apart from other variations of the Prince Nymph. Consequently, this unique characteristic enhances the Purple Prince Charming’s effectiveness, making it a valuable addition to any angler’s collection.

Demonstrating that necessity is the mother of invention and inspired by his creativity, Paul Fedeles introduces his own take on the Purple Prince Charming. He utilises readily available materials to maintain its effectiveness and make it accessible to a broader range of anglers.

Materials

• Hook: Size 14 scud
• Bead: Gold tungsten
• Thread: Purple Ultra 70 denier
• Tail: Brown Zelon
• Abdomen: Purple woolly nylon
• Rib: Gold Holo Tinsel
• Wing: White poly-yarn
• Collar: Grizzly hackle size 16

Tying Instructions

1. Insert bead on the hook. Start your tying thread behind the bead.
2. Tie in the length of Zelon behind the bead and secure on top of the hook back around the bend of the hook.

3. Clip off the excess Zelon to form the tail to about half a hook gap in length.
4. Tie in a length of gold Holo tinsel on top of the hook, from the bead back to the head.

5. Return the thread to the bead.
6. Tie in the woolly nylon and create an even body using the thread, finishing at the head.

7. Reverse rib the tinsel forward with even spaced wraps up to the bead.
   A couple of drops of UV resin for strength.
8. Tie the poly-yarn wings on top of the hook and trim to half a hook length.
   You can split them or leave them as is.I leave them.

9. Tie the grizzly feather just behind the bead.
10. Wrap three touching turns moving forward to the bead.

11. Use the thread hanging to keep the hackle from falling off the head.
12. Secure the feather with your thread and whip finish (or half hitch).
13. Trim the poly-yarn wings.