I’m late to the Prince Nymph game. I’ve had luck with some other patterns, and so, have not gotten around to it.
Since I feel like fishing new flies, I’m moving on to The Prince.
I’ve been tying the traditional pattern. But, the one that really caught my eye is a bit more sedate, has a spiky squirrel collar, and is on a competition-style barbless jig hook.
I love those hooks: They’re very sharp, ride hook point up, and make for a more secure hook-hold as they usually embed in a fish’s upper jaw. I don’t recall the last time I dropped a fish with that hook type.
The pattern is from a Tim Flagler video, which is below. Here is the materials list, with links:
- Hook: Barbless jig-style Euro hook, size 14
- Thread: UTC, 70 denier, olive
- Bead: Slotted tungsten, 7/64″, black
- Wire (to secure the bead): Non-lead, 0.015″
- Tail: Coq de Leon
- Ribbing: UTC Ultra wire, gold, small
- Wings: Goose biots, white
- Body: Peacock herl
- Collar: Squirrel dubbing, grey. I love the Waspi Davy Wotton SLF dubbing. It is a blend of natural fur, some synthetic fibers, and a little bit of flash. I’ve found the 12-color assortment and dispenser, listed at $17.95, to be convenient and has a good variety of colors.
Try it with a CDC collar. Money!!!
Great idea! I have to say: CDC is magical stuff….
Putting in a second on the CDC collar. That stuff has some good voodoo
I have to try that spikey squirrel version, it makes me think of a fav of mine, the picket pin…
Never had luck with the Picket Pin. Was one of the first flies I made and I had such high hopes.
Perhaps, I’m fishing it wrong? I fished it as a dry. The squirrel wing seemed too big to nymph with it. Or, am I wrong?
Hope you are well, Will!