The Montana Nymph
This was originally an American pattern which became popular in the UK in the early 1990’s for reservoirs and stillwaters. It has now become a very popular fly which features in most fly boxes.
The American original was dressed as an imitation of the larva of the stonefly in the rivers in the Montana region and was dressed on long shank hooks sizes 6…10.
Over the years in the UK the pattern has been slightly modified and whilst called a nymph it is usually fished as a lure. The thorax is tied with chenille in fluorescent yellow, green or red and the most popular size is a long shank 10. I modify my version slightly. I tie in a bunch of black cock hackle fibres for the tail and for the wing case I use Sparton ‘new body czech’ which is more durable and adds a little sparkle. You can also use black nylon wool which is not as fragile as chenille which our American cousins favour.
I think you will find this one quite easy to tie and it will be a good addition to your fly box.
This series of video clips is down to the enthusiasm of my younger son Jonathan. He not only does the camera work but he keeps me focussed on my commentaries and does all the work on the web site. I have the easy part tying the flies.
We will endeavour to comply with your requests but please accept that I have had no experience with salt water flies. I am in my seventies and this old dog is not too keen to learn new tricks. However just remember whatever you tie the principles are the same only the materials are different.
Materials
- Hook long shank 6 / 8 /10
- Tail black cock hackle fibres
- Body black chenille
- Thorax flourescent chenille - green / orange / red
- Wing case black wool
- Dyed black hackle
- Tying silk black
Happy Fishing
Dave Cammiss and The Team.
August 14, 2007 at 4:45 pm
Hi again as I said at lesson one this is a refresher for me from 17 years ago when I was given lessons all four of them on how to Tye flies.
This has been an eye opener for me and the correct way to tie thanks to you and your team I will continue on with the lessons.
I tied this lure and never caught on it now I know why, it was doing the backstroke.
Great Website
Regards
Garry
August 22, 2007 at 4:38 am
Much thanks for sharing your passion and knowledge. I look forward to further installments! If at all possible, I’d love to hear / read your suggestions on fishing these flies.
Warm regards,
-David
August 23, 2007 at 2:39 pm
Hi David,
All the flies to date have been nymphs which we use for fishing lakes and reservoirs. Mostly on floating line and slow retrieve. The diawl bach, montana and hares ear are all good river flies fished well down and very slowly. In the faster waters it sometimes pays to use tungsten beads to get the fly down.
Regards
Dave C.
September 19, 2007 at 12:43 pm
David:
I do not quite understand why you turn your hook upside down at the beginning : is it because you do not start turning the lead wire immadiately arout the hook, but secure first a part of it to te hook without turning it ?
I what I’ve made myself clear - my english isn’t too good I’m afraid.
Congratulations again for your tying and your generosity. Thanks also to your sons (or other family members) for the music and the production. Professionnal quality, really.
Keep up the good work !
Hervé
September 19, 2007 at 10:38 pm
Hi Herve
Thanks for your response.
The reason for turning the fly upside down to tie in the lead wire is to lie the lenght of lead on the underside of the hook which keeps the fly swimming the right way up. If the extra weight was laid on the top of the hook it would swim upside down.
Hope I have made myself clear.
Regards
Dave C.
September 20, 2007 at 8:41 am
Quite clear, Dave, thank you. I’ve often wondered how to make a streamer swim “upside down”, so as to prevent it from getting stuck by weeds or whatever in the bottom of a lake. I guess this is the thing to do, then : put extra weight on the top of the hook. Or is there another method ?
Cheers,
Hervé