Pgh Kid
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Legs on nymphs
I am tying pheasant tail nymphs and started with size 10. Now that I have tied the 10/12/14 and am starting to tie the size 16's the legs are really hard to tie as they are to small.
At what size, if any, do you omit the legs on nymphs.
thanks
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chrome
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RE: Legs on nymphs
2008/01/23 19:23:21
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It's been a long time since I put legs on my bead head PT's--or any bead head for that matter. Trust me, they are not needed.
But, if you feel better with them than without them, which is really what is important, then try using a turn or two of soft hackle. A nice dark mottled hen back is cheap and will work nicely in the smaller sizes.
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doubletaper
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RE: Legs on nymphs
2008/01/23 21:51:59
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if i want legs on a nymph in the smaller sizes i usually tie it like a beard in front of the thorax, letting it hang down, before tying off.
i'll use soft hen hackle barbs, grouse or brown barred marabou. if you're using dubbing as the thorax just pick it out with a needle.
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Pgh Kid
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RE: Legs on nymphs
2008/01/23 23:25:08
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I have not been using the bead head nymph but rather the traditional pattern. Is one better than the other.
I have been using lead wrapped around the hook for weight. and the tips of the wing case for the legs. Should I be looking at a different pattern?
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doubletaper
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RE: Legs on nymphs
2008/01/24 09:24:18
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a beadhead is your preference, as well as what is easier for you to make and tie the legs out of. some tyers don't want to use led others will use beads. imo the beads don't look natural but the trout don't seam to mind sometimes. when you use beads make sure you use the right size for your hook, you don't want the bead too close to the hook point and use clear fingernail polish instead of head cement when tying off.
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jlh42581
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RE: Legs on nymphs
2008/01/24 10:53:40
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http://www.questoutdoors.net/skills/ftying/patterns/nymphs/ultra/ Check out how he is doing his legs. I do all my nymph legs like this. I even put legs on 18-20's because certain nymphs like baetis are fast swimmers, they swim like a minnow. I feel legs make a difference. Without them I feel youre suggesting a more general presentation in which it could be a larvae. Ill add a bit to his instruction. Once tied in lightly you can pull the stem to adjust the size of the legs.
post edited by jlh42581 - 2008/01/24 10:54:49
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Pgh Kid
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RE: Legs on nymphs
2008/01/24 12:43:16
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Wow, thanks for all the help everyone. I like to tie the legs and am going to try the partridge.
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71gto
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RE: Legs on nymphs
2008/01/24 15:05:40
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You should have seen the legs on the red head I had lunch with today....woohoo! What a Nymph!
post edited by 71gto - 2008/01/24 15:06:39
Gort! Klaatu barada nikto!
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Pgh Kid
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RE: Legs on nymphs
2008/01/24 15:26:54
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but was that carpet or drapes
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chrome
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RE: Legs on nymphs
2008/01/24 21:16:57
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ORIGINAL: Pgh Kid
I have not been using the bead head nymph but rather the traditional pattern. Is one better than the other.
I have been using lead wrapped around the hook for weight. and the tips of the wing case for the legs. Should I be looking at a different pattern?
Here's how I tie the traditional PT nymph: http://www.flyguysoutfitting.com/pheasanttailsbs.html Here's a BH PT with a soft hackle collar: http://www.flyguysoutfitting.com/beadheadsofthacklept.html Using a bead head pattern or adding legs is entirely up to you--that is what makes the sport so fun. I do hope though, that whatever you choose to do you can answer "Why am I (not) doing this?"
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Pgh Kid
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RE: Legs on nymphs
2008/01/24 22:15:58
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thank you Chrome. That is a great website and that is the PT nymph pattern I have been tying.
What pattern should I use for a stone fly and in what sizes for steel head? I think I will stay with an early black stone fly for trout unless some has a bettr idea.
Mike
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chrome
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RE: Legs on nymphs
2008/01/25 07:08:53
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I don't use stonefly patterns for steelhead but if I did it'd be a quick-n-easy Rusher style. Don't make it any harder for them to find your fly than needed!
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D-nymph
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RE: Legs on nymphs
2008/01/25 09:23:48
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ORIGINAL: chrome
Using a bead head pattern or adding legs is entirely up to you--that is what makes the sport so fun. I do hope though, that whatever you choose to do you can answer "Why am I (not) doing this?"
Indeed. I usually only tie PT nymphs in smaller sizes, #16-20. And I omit the legs for ease and speed of tying. You can really whip those nymphs out quickly once you get the hang of them. I also see the PT nymphs, especially in smaller sizes, as a very general impressionistic fly. Sort of looks like alot of bugs, but not really alot like any of them, in essence. So using that line of thinking, I skip the legs. When I do tie legs on nymphs I generally use the method jlh42581 posted. Especially for copper johns, and Stalcup style biot body nymphs.
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chrome
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RE: Legs on nymphs
2008/01/25 12:35:01
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ORIGINAL: D-nymph
I also see the PT nymphs, especially in smaller sizes, as a very general impressionistic fly. Sort of looks like alot of bugs, but not really alot like any of them, in essence.
Ding-ding-ding! :)
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Pgh Kid
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RE: Legs on nymphs
2008/01/25 15:11:12
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jlh - thanks for the help. I have been using this method the last few flies and it worls out really well. I was using the other method becasuse that was suggested by Rick Hafele in his book "Nymph fishing Rivers and Streams".
He also suggests carrying the PT and the GRHE in size 10 - 20. I have already tied the PT in the all those sizes, but should I tie the gold ribbed hairs ear in those sizes.
By the way I have narrowed the "searching nymphs" that I wasnt to carry to the following:
Gold ribbed hairs ear (size 10-20)
Pheasant tail (size 10-20)
Zug bug (size 12/14)
Muscrat nymph (size size 10-20)
are these good sizes and selection?
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D-nymph
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RE: Legs on nymphs
2008/01/25 15:54:34
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ORIGINAL: Pgh Kid
By the way I have narrowed the "searching nymphs" that I wasnt to carry to the following:
Gold ribbed hairs ear (size 10-20)
Pheasant tail (size 10-20)
Zug bug (size 12/14)
Muscrat nymph (size size 10-20)
are these good sizes and selection?
definitely. I like copper john's too in Olive, black, copper and chartreuse. #12 & #16.
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