Materials
- Hook: #14-20 Daiichi 1560
- Bead: Small Red Glass Bead
- Thread: Brown Veevus 8/0
- Tail: Pheasant Tail
- Rib: Small Red Wire
- Thorax: Peacock Herl
- Case: Medium Veevus Pearlescent Tinsel
- Legs: Red Krystal Flash
The Red Headed Step Child is a great small mayfly nymph or general attractor nymph developed by fly tying guru Hogan Brown.
Probably NZ’s most popular nymph and the first nymph most beginner tiers will tackle. The Hare and Copper Nymph catches fish throughout the country in a variety of waters. The guard hairs used in the mix represent legs and give the fly that buggy look that’s very effective.
This pattern is a variation of the classic Pheasant Tail Nymph. It’s body, tail and rib are the same as the original, but the thorax of this pattern includes a few strands of pearl Lurex laid over the peacock herl.
The Fly Tyers Bible, pp. 36-37
Throughout Australia the Red Tag is excellent fished to surface feeding trout in rivers or still water (it is also a must-have for herring!). The fly is a half imitator and half attractor; the red tag, the peacock herl and to some extent the brown hackle attracting the fish.
This is the classic all-purpose nymph, effective for many game-fish species in all water types. The key to its success is the mottled brown hues of the hare’s fur that can suggest all manner of small aquatic insect larvae or crustaceans.
With the basic profile of a caseless caddis larva, the Czech Nymph is extremely effective when trout and greyling are feeding hard on the riverbed.
Developed by Czech anglers, the combination of heavy hook and lead underbelly ensures that the pattern sinks extremely quickly, making it ideal for fishing in deep or fast-moving water.
The Pheasant Tail Nymph is a fly that no trout fly fisher should be without. It can be tied with or without a bead head, with or without a flashback wingcase and with or without legs. The thorax can be peacock herl or any type of dubbing.