Prince Nymph

The Prince Nymph is one of those flies that I think everyone wonders what the heck it imitates. I know I sure did, but could never doubt it’s fish catching abilities. Rest assured though, the trout don’t take it just because it looks cool. It is a great imitation for a variety of clinger mayflies that inhabit our local streams such as the Green Drakes or Red Quills.

The key to this fly is the action and color that the peacock body provides. This imitates the large active gills that run down the side of the abdomen of the naturals, creating a lifelike profile. The white goose biot that is tied on the top of the fly actually looks like the emerging wing of the naturals. Before they hatch, the wings begin to emerge from the backs of the insects. This happens while they are crawling around in the stream. These bugs are less cautious as hatch time approaches and lose their grip more frequently, so the trout are used to seeing them in the currents with the white wings protruding out of their backs.

Also, don't overloook this pattern as a great one for stoneflies.