The Copper Wire Nymph

by Jonathan

The Copper Wire Nymph.

This is an under-rated fly for rivers, sometimes known as the Copper Nymph, and usually confused with the more popular Copper John Nymph. Not only is it a very easy fly to tie but the basic materials are all readily available.
Charles Jardine in his Directory of Fly Dressings advocates a tail of golden pheasant tippets. I prefer a tail of a small bunch of cock pheasant tail feathers.
The standard pattern relies on the copper wire body for weight, and the choice of a single layer or double layer, of wire depends on the waters you fish. In the event of faster and deeper rivers the addition of a few turns of fine lead wire under the thorax will help.
It would pay you to tie up several variants with different coloured seal fur. My favourite is orange.

This is a useful pattern in sizes 10 to 16.

  • Hook – Wet Fly sizes 10 to 16
  • Thorax – Seals fur, orange, brown, olive, black or red.
  • Body – Copper wire.
  • Tail – Small bunch cock pheasant tail feathers. Option brown cock hackle fibres.
  • Underbody – Optional fine lead wire

Regards Dave C and The Team

{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }

anonymous(?) April 28, 2011 at 12:04 pm

Well done Dave. Youre a great inspiration for alot of the young people like me. Kepp the work up!

Calum April 16, 2011 at 7:01 pm

Hi again Dave, been searching for some grade #2 or #3 cock saddles for palmering, any thoughts on where to get cheap ones?

Calum April 16, 2011 at 6:59 pm

Amazing Dave, been catching lots on your cats whisker, I just added some lime sraggle ffritz instead of chenille, also caught loads on your booby, an inspiration, maybe next could you do a dabbler, black pennel or something like that.

DaveC April 16, 2011 at 4:47 pm

Hi Margaret
I am no electrician but I think all three inner cables ie. live, neutral and earth, in a heavy duty domestic cable are the same. I just collected the cut offs when the electrician wired up Andrews Drum shop.
Regards
DaveC and the Team

Margaret April 15, 2011 at 8:19 pm

Hi
In your video you say you use copper wire from a cable
what size stranded cable do you use to get your wire? or does it not matter
Thank You

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