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.
{ 26 comments… read them below or add one }
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Thanks for the warning about the wax. I have a whole spanner box of them from cross country ski racing in years gone by. Most are odourless and they are all made to adhere tenaciously. I think I’ll try a hard wax made for very cold conditions and work from there. They probably contain beeswax anyway. Anyway, the important thing is to keep practising. With David’s help I have now identified the material as “new body czech” as used also on the Jersey Herd.
Hi Peter Bowles
Good to know that you got sorted with the new czech body nymph.
It is also excellent for making buzzer bodies. If you cut a length abou 3 inches try pulling the’thread’ out from the core and wind it on the hook. you will find there is a difference in the thickness on the oppsite ends of the cut length. Use the olives and greens for the body and red for the thorax and rib with fine copper wire(can also be used under the cbn. to increase weight.
Happy fishing
DaveC.and the Team
Maybe you could make changes to the webpage name title Montana Nymph – Video Demonstration — Learn Fly Tying to more catching for your blog post you write. I liked the the writing still.
Hi Dave, this is a great fly to tye i’ve tied lots of these they work great on any kind of water and for all sorts of fish not just game fish, I like your alternative material for the thorax cover, i’ll have to try and get some of that anyway keep the videos coming. Regards to you and the team, Alan
Hi Dave. I fish still waters in South Africa, predomiantely in our autumn, winter & spring seasons, & have done for the past 20 years. Two or so years ago, I happen to tie on a Montana Nymph that had found its way into 1 of my boxes & lets just say, the rest is history but this fly, which is now very tatty, has accounted for some beautiful fish. Last year I started tying flies & have continued this year in preparation for the our autumn, which has just begun. Naturally I have gravitated towards tying Montana’s because of the success rate however have really battled to tie one that swims correctly. I have also experimented with materials such as dubbing for the bodies & changed the wing cases for a different options & actually wondered whether by not using chenille or wool was not giving the flies the correct buoyantancy on top & causing them to swim upside down or on their sides. I’ve just re-watched your video & wonder whether my lead wrap might in fact be twisting but needness to say, I will try again but perhaps you could provide some insight as to what else could be effecting the action? I’ve even tried tying-in just legs as opposed to the hackle wrap. Kind regards Tven
Tven, i know what yer problem is, you have wrapped the lead at one part of the hook more than the other, try and keep the lead even, think about it, if ye put more lead at the front than at the back it’ll go through the water head first and won’t fish properly, but if everyhing is even, it’ll go down evenly, hope this help mate
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