Hare & Copper Nymph Freshwater Hook : Mustad 80250 Caddis (I like this because of the wide gape but any nymph hook would be o.k.). Thread : 6/0 black/brown. Tail : Brown hackle fibres. Alternatively 3 fibres from a pheasant tail. Lead Wire : Medium (Thickness should suit fly size & application). Body : Hare's fur from either a mask or blended mix (it is essential to have a good percentage of guard hairs in the mix). Rib : Fine copper wire.
Tying Instructions 1) Start thread just behind the eye and take back along the shank to a position level to the rear edge of the barb, (or where the barb should be if you are tying with barbless hooks). 2) Tie in the tail hackle fibres, (or pheasant tail fibres). 3) Tie in the copper wire and take the "tag" end under the hook shank so that it is facing away from you. 4) Take about 3cm of lead wire from your spool and starting ¾ of the shank length from the eye; make about 6 even wraps of lead along the hook shank towards the eye. Adjust the amount of lead to suit the water conditions to be fished. You may also need to adjust the position of the lead on the shank to ensure the fly is correctly balanced. Take your thread backwards and forwards over the lead wire to secure it firmly with the final wrap finishing where the tail was tied in. 5) Dub a furry buggy looking body making sure plenty of guard hairs are protruding at all angles (a dubbing needle is useful to pick out guard hairs on the finished product). 6) Take copper wire and rib throughout the entire body, tie off behind the eye of the hook and make a small head. 7) Whip finish and varnish if necessary (personally I prefer not to varnish unless absolutely necessary).
Fly Notes It's the only nymph pattern that I have used in New Zealand so far, and based on results it's a winner.
Fishing Notes I prefer to fish it dead drift with a small yarn indicator on a 12 foot leader. Target species are Brown & Rainbow Trout.
Location Notes Can be fished in either fast flowing runs (both upstream and downstream) or in glides and quiet pools.
Prey Notes This fly is not exactly a perfect imitation of either mayfly, stonefly or caddis nymphs. I think its buggy appearance has a lot to do with its success and appeal to trout.
Tier Ashley Morrow

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