The PERFECT Nymph Box: How to Build it!

Whether you are a beginner fly fisherman/fly tyer or an experienced one, filling your fly box with nymphs for trout can be daunting. What patterns do you use? How many? What weight? What sizes? Weight is especially important for Euro Nymphing.

Instead of taking the shotgun approach and tying a ton of different patterns, (which ultimately leads to having a bunch of patterns in your box that you'll never use) take the rifle approach. Using this approach helps you choose a handful of patterns to tie in a multitude of sizes and weights.

This gives you a base to build your box. Once your base is built, you can start adding patterns or "testers". Once these patterns are tested to your liking, you can then add them to your box. It is important that all of your patterns need to "earn" their way in.

In this video, I discuss the 5 different types of insects/bugs we need to imitate and the patterns I like to use to represent them. The five types are Mayflies, Caddis, Midges, Stoneflies, and Sowbugs/Scuds.

Whatever flies you choose, learn to tie them right. A well-tied fly will give you confidence. And the confidence will help you fish better.

My core patterns are:

Mayflies: size 18-12

Pheasant Tail: https://youtu.be/B5AtOjSgyg8?si=HVSE5y-Zf6qgFIa6
Jack Daniel's: https://youtu.be/8nS8K0QWxhs?si=PcrCbsUVrwhHybbY
Olive Flash Perdigon: https://youtu.be/QF_37EIp34Y?si=uFAuHuqLoJS3IR8c
Culiroja/Falangista: https://youtu.be/kP9Z8lk0hwU?si=kid5yBwsU1IrJVAq

Caddis: size 18-12

Walt's Worm: https://youtu.be/LfpS43ezpvQ?si=vMHzZtVF6mlq-dHm

Midge: size 20-18

France Midge: https://youtu.be/KKYz_7JoKr8?si=APuRAksMq-ArA7IQ

Stonefly: size 14-12 (2.8mm-3.8mm tungsten beads)

Stone Pony: https://youtu.be/o0HyiSPMcdQ?si=NNC_e-a0K-gL-4Vf

Sow Bug/Scud/Shrimp: size 18-16

Walt's Worm

Blue Winged Olive: size 20-18

France Fly (lead wraps not needed): https://youtu.be/j8GzBB2QZ-U?si=ee-lMzoBPryKu1Sy
Simple Olive Perdigon: https://youtu.be/Nx0m2jPDyTg?si=6r5r0-aYT6sMHdR1

My core weights are 2.3mm, 2.8mm, and 3.3mm tungsten beads.

Once your core is built, you can add terrestrials, junk flies, and attractor patterns.

I hope you enjoy the tips and these suggestions.

Tight Lines!

Cory

Virtual One-on-One sessions: https://www.olddominiontroutbum.com/contact

#flytying #trout #troutfishing #beginnerflytying