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Tying the Prince Nymph

The Prince Nymph is a classic, versatile fly that mimics various aquatic insects, making it effective for trout and other freshwater fish.

The recipe for tying a traditional Prince Nymph:

Materials

  1. Hook: Grip 12413BL Nymph hook, sizes 10–16
  2. Bead (optional): Gold or brass bead for a weighted version (size matches the hook).
  3. Thread: Black, 6/0 or 8/0.
  4. Tail: Brown goose biots.
  5. Body: Peacock herl or Ostrich Herl
  6. Ribbing: Sybai Flat Coloured Wire – Gold**
  7. Wings: White goose biots.
  8. Hackle: Brown hen hackle or soft hackle.
  9. Head: Black thread (or bead if tying a beadhead version).

 

** If using #10 hook use Medium Flat coloured wire, #12 hook, use Ultrafine Wide, for #14 and #16 use Ultrafine

Tying Steps

  1. Prepare the Hook: Place the hook in the vice and, if using a bead, slide it onto the hook before securing it.
  2. Start Thread: Attach the black thread just behind the bead (or near the hook eye) and lay a thread base along the hook shank.
  3. Attach the Tail: Tie in two brown goose biots at the rear of the hook, fanned outward in a “V” shape. Secure them with a few thread wraps.
  4. Add the Ribbing: Tie in a length of the gold wire at the base of the tail and let it hang.
  5. Create the Body: Tie in 3–4 strands of peacock herl or Ostrich herl at the tail. Twist them together for added durability, then wrap them forward in smooth turns to create a tapered body. Stop near the bead or 1–2 eye lengths from the hook eye.
  6. Secure the Ribbing: Bring the gold wire forward over the peacock body in 5 or 6 even turns. Tie it off behind the eye.
  7. Add the Hackle: Tie in a soft brown hackle feather by the tip. Make 2–3 turns around the hook, sweeping the fibres back as you wrap. Tie off and trim.
  8. Attach the Wings: Tie in two white goose biots on top of the hook, crossing them in a “V” shape over the body. Ensure they slope backward slightly. Secure with thread wraps.
  9. Finish the Fly: Build a small, neat head with thread. Whip finish and apply a drop of head cement for durability. For the bead head whip finish behind the bead and apply a few drops of varnish.

This fly works well in various sizes and can be modified (e.g., with different coloured beads or hackles) to suit your fishing conditions.

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