Double-Rib Slim Profile Nymphs

**jhouseman** · 12-29-2008, 10:34 PM

Double-Rib Slim Profile Nymphs
We've all seen what simply changing the color of the bead on your average fly can do here lately.
In that vein I'd thought I'd add another "simple twist" to the mix.

"Sometimes relatively minor changes to age old fly patterns can make all the difference on pressured trout streams. Lately here at chrome head quarters we’ve been concentrating on 2 important factors in nymph construction which are getting a fair amount of attention in competitive fly fishing circles. The first is simply achieving a “slim profile.” Most flies call for layered dressings that produce an end product that is fairly heavy in the mid section. Utilizing Biots is one direction toward insuring a slim bodied nymph – just using thread is another. “Double Ribs” are the second and the sky’s the limit. Start with normal materials like wire and branch off to rubber legs. Play with variegated materials for even more realistic body looks!"

**Nymphmeister** · 12-29-2008, 10:43 PM

Those look very fishy Dejon, have you "field tested" them yet? And how about throwing a pattern dressing for one or two variations up here?

alanb_ct · 12-29-2008, 10:52 PM

Aaron-I fixed the picture for viewing.

**jhouseman** · 12-29-2008, 11:12 PM

alan - thanx!

Nymph, absolutely. They are deadly especially on pressured water. Color variations are limitless. Much room for experimentation with ribbing materials.

"SilverSlim"
Hook: Knapek Pupae 10
Thead(Body): Uni Gray
Tail: Teal Barred Flank
Rib: X-Sm Copper Wire, Barred Rubber Legs Fine
Collar: Custom Mix inc. seal, hare, etc.
+ Tungsten Gold Bead & Lead Wire (sparingly)

**Nymphmeister** · 12-29-2008, 11:32 PM

They look deadly, I WILL be tying some up this Winter. Loren has a nice article on his site titled "Micronymphs", and the ones in the pictures look similar, minus the double rib. Here's the link:
http://www.flyguysoutfitting.com/micronymphs.html

I'm picturing one tied in the style you describe & show on your blog, but tied like this: a brown thread abdomen, mottled hen or brahma tail, double rib of copper wire & hot yellow or hot orange wire (or maybe Flexi-Floss or Spanflex instead), collar of brownish dubbing mix (squirrel, Ice Dub, SLF & antron), and a copper or black tungsten bead w/ lead wire under the thorax. Maybe even a narrow band of fire orange thread between the bead & dubbing for a nice small hot-spot.

**jhouseman** · 12-29-2008, 11:49 PM

Yeah, that mix sounds killer - tie one up and let's see how it looks!

This is no new fly by any measure. Loren's MNs and many other such patterns fall under this general style. In fact, besides a few "fly shop wonders" there are very few unique patterns tied these days... at least in my opinion. Most "cutting edge" patterns are variations on something that was tied 5, 10, 100 years ago! I really stress "general theories" in tying in my classes. Looking at the components that culminate to make a "unique" fly rather than the end product.

How am I looking to improve this pattern? Coc-De-Leon tail. Improved and more complex collars. Different color beads. More diverse ribbings with intricate barrings and possibly buzzer style epoxy coatings.

This isn't a shotgun pattern to "toss and loss" - it takes a little more time to put together. More a well weighted and primed bullet to pull out when the fish get fussy. Absolutely deadly though!