Learn how to tie the AP Nymph
When in doubt, simplify. In sport, in skill, in casting, and here, in fly selection. It’s easy to get caught up in the challenge and adventure of using new materials in new configurations to find the subtle feature that is the difference between a fly by and a full blown hit. Just because the new and fancy stuff does work does not mean we should abandon the basics, the foundations, the simple stuff. What could be better than a fly in the right size, shape, and color? Andre Puyans (AP) clearly understood the importance of lifelike imitation when he put together this simple little bug. A bit of hair “tripling” as tailing and wing case and legs, a bit of course dubbing (go with Wapsi Beaver or Muskrat) for body and bugginess, wire to rib, and you’re off to the races. Andre put a few wraps of weighted wire under the dubbing wraps to keep the fly in the zone. It wouldn’t be a tie of mine if I didn’t change at least one feature. Instead of dubbing, I tried out Semperfli Dirty Bug Yarn just for the sake of doing things differently. I can’t say it didn’t work out just fine. Scale it up for Stones, keep it small for Mayflies, lighter or darker depending on your local bug species. The possible variations on the theme make this pattern particularly versatile.
Ingredients & Recipe
- Hook: Dry Fly Hook- TMC 100 or Daiichi 1180 or Fulling Mill Down Eye
- Thread: UNI 8/0 Camel, or Semperfli Classic Waxed or your preferred brown thread
- Tail: Moose Hair, you can substitute with Deer Hair
- Body: Patrick’s variation uses Dirty Bug Yarn, but Muskrat is traditional
- Ribbing: Gold Wire- UTC Ultra Wire or Danvilles Fine Wire or your preferred wire
- Vise – Mongoose Vice
- Scissors – Dr. Slick Arrow Point
- Bodkin – Rising Stout Bodkin
- Whip Finish – Tiemco Midge Whip Finish
- Tool Kit – Loon Tool Kit
