Evolution of the nymph.

**Korrie** · 11-11-14

As you are all aware that I am a keen student of the nymph.

It is very interesting to me, how the evolution of the nymphs have progressed over the years.
From Skues basic patterns,
Sawers PTN and Killer bug
Polly Rosborough fuzzy nymphs.
the Polish and Czech nymphs.
With the latest ultra smooth bodies of the French nymphs.
The addition of UV and Fluoro as must have's.

at one stage it had to look buggy and drab.
Then profile became important.
The weight was next, because at first the fly fishers said, weight adds drag.
Then the ultra slick and smooth "French" body, with no buggy features at all for quick sinking.
There was the phase of having a bit of flash in the dubbing,
The fluoro and UV for a bit of attractor factor.

It makes me think of the Czech saying " it is not the fly that catches the fish, it is your hands and brain" Or as the French say "it is all in the drift"

What is your opinion?

**Korrie** · 11-11-14

Skues nymphs
http://flyanglersonline.com/features...es/part227.php

**Korrie** · 11-11-14

Smooth bodied French nymphs
http://www.flyfisher.ro/en/micro-glitter-nymph/
No buggy look, no movement, super smooth body for quick decent thru the water.

**Circus** · 11-11-14

Korrie, I like what slim-profile nymphs achieve in terms of sinking better etc, but I do still like a touch of bugginess/movement. My solution is smooth, slim bodies like the french nymphs, but with a few strands of CDC around the neck. Maybe I just need to get more confidence with them or my technique is not quite up to maintaining perfect contact at all times.

Here's a separate thought: If it is all about the drift and using your hands and brain, then why go to the effort of making such pretty little nymphs? Why not just use simpler patterns which are quicker to tie?

**Korrie** · 11-11-14

Originally Posted by Circus

Korrie, I like what slim-profile nymphs achieve in terms of sinking better etc, but I do still like a touch of bugginess/movement. My solution is smooth, slim bodies like the french nymphs, but with a few strands of CDC around the neck. Maybe I just need to get more confidence with them or my technique is not quite up to maintaining perfect contact at all times.

Here's a separate thought: If it is all about the drift and using your hands and brain, then why go to the effort of making such pretty little nymphs? Why not just use simpler patterns which are quicker to tie?

If you look at most of the Czech and French patterns, they are very basic.
Sometimes, it is just great to tie intricate patterns. and here and there, it is required, but for most, KISS and GISS principle

**Korrie** · 11-11-14

PS: then there are the trends and fashions that come and go.
But certain basic patterns are still the tried and tested PTN, GRHE, maybe with a bead or a hot/UV spot.

**Gerrit Viljoen** · 11-11-14

Korrie what is GISS?

**Korrie** · 11-11-14

General impression, shape and size.
Ek sal jou Baitfish pattern as 'n perfekte GISS beskryf.
Dit het die General Impression, Shape and Size van die vissies in die Vaal.
Die voeltjie kykers gebruik die term en blykbaar die fighter pilots
http://www.arcamax.com/knowledge/vocabulary/s-895385
http://bioacoustics.cse.unsw.edu.au/.../msg00056.html