Czech Nymphs in 10 Easy Steps by Jindra Lacko
Fly Patterns, Step-by-Step Tutorials — By HatchesMagazine on June 22, 2010 9:24 amMaterials You Will Need
Hook: #8 gammarus hook (Skalka G series in my case)
Thread: 6/0 UNI thread color Tan
Weight: medium size flat lead (round wire works just as fine but flat is easier to work with)
Back: 4mm back cover, color Honey
Ribbing: .16mm mono
Body: Hare dubbing dyed light Olive. Seal dubbing dyed Hot Orange. 60 Hare/40 Seal dubbing dyed Black
Color: a light touch of black CD marker pen
Step 1: Hook Selection
Step 2: Weight
Add a layer of lead. Flat lead works the best; it packs more tightly than round lead and high density is crucial. In this example I went for one layer of lead, but you can add two for extra weight. In such case make the second layer one turn shorter on each side to preserve the tapered look.
Make sure the lead does not extend past the hook bend – you want to leave a plenty of space to tie in the ribbing and back cover. Otherwise your nymph will have a fat ass, which is a major NO, NO!
Step 3: Thread
Tie in your thread and tightly lash the weight to the hook. I have selected UNI 6/0 thread in color tan. The 6/0 thread is stronger than 8/0 I use for most of my other tying and can stand some abuse – it will receive a lot! I want my lead packed ever more tightly, high density is very important for a CZ nymph. I selected color tan so that it will not darken the dubbing as black thread would.
Step 4: Rib and Back Cover
Now make use of the empty space you left in the hook bend and tie in first the ribbing – I am using 0.16 mm monofilament spinning line here – and then back cover. For back cover I am using 4 mm wide strip in honey color, so it will be just a shade darker than my dubbing.
Lash both to the hook bend very tightly, keeping in mind that the fat ass you are trying very hard to avoid.
Step 5: Abdomen
Dub the abdomen – about one half of the nymph body, perhaps slightly more. I am using hare dubbing color light olive here, rabbit will work also fine. If using natural dubbing (which I strongly suggest) be aware that it will darken once wet and select the color accordingly. Again, keep in mind the fat ass you are trying very hard to avoid!
Step 6: Hot Spot
Dub the hot spot (optional). Use bright red, orange or hot pink colors. Here I am using Seal fur colored hot orange.
The hot spot is optional – when fishing it can make your day or scare the fish witless for no apparent reason.
Step 7: Thorax/Legs
Dub the front part of the fly. Use scruffy dubbing with longish hairs, so it will add movement to your fly. I am using black hare mixed with black seal. Leave just enough space for the head.
Step 8: Fold Over the Back Cover
This is the tricky part. Fold over the back cover, stretching it slightly forward so that it covers the body snugly. Tie in with your tying thread and secure tightly. Whip finish – and only then cut the redundant part off. Few things are more frustrating than having the fly come apart at this stage due to sloppy tying of the back cover. Trust me. I had it happen many times, and you would not wish to hear what I had to say about it.
Step 9: Wrap the ribbing
Now that the tricky part is done you wrap your ribbing. Make sure you wrap in the direction of your tying thread, mono is slippery and you want your fly to look neat.
Step 10: Finishing touches
You are almost done. The only finishing touches left are brushing your fly vigorously with a velcro strip and coloring your head and front half of the back cover with black marker. Take a step back and enjoy!
You can read more article from Jindra Lacko on his blog: http://graylingonfly.blogspot.com/
Tags: Beginner, Black, Chech Nymph, Dubbing, Hatches, Intermediate, Jindra Lacko, Nymph, Olive, Orange, Scud, Tan, Trout
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10 Comments
I have seen dozens of articles and tutorials on czech nymphs in last couple years. I appreciate the ”keep it simple” and well done tied fly. This is my new C.N. pattern, no need for the other complicated dozens. Thank you
Very well presented. The only suggestions might be to describe your hook fully to more easily relate it to other brands and also possibly add dimensional values in the English sysrem as well in the Metric.
I really liked the presentation, I originally thought it was a scud.
Thank you for your comments, I appreciate them.
About the simple tying: when CZ nymphing you bump a team of two or three flies close to the bottom = you snag a lot, and having easily replacable flies allows you to fish more agressively and catch more fish.
About the Imperial measurement: I really appreciate the comment. The Metric system is used in the Czech Republic since forever, so it is easy to forget the world is not as uniform as it might seem at the first glance
The width of the ribbing matters little, just use your favorite light spinning line. The body cover is 4mm wide, that is about 5/32 of an inch.
Well done article. Photos are of great quality.
NICE, now to find some flat “lead”
The flat stuff I used is actual lead (legal in Europe) sold by Jan Šiman (www.siman.cz, I believe he ships to the US).
But the shape of your “lead” is not crucial for the fly to work. Flat lead saves tying time (you need about 3 times as many turns of round wire to cover the same space) but if round wire is all you got then just go ahead and tie it on.
Nice little fly to tie,will catch plenty of fish
Have to give this a try great looking fly
Where can I purchase the flat lead used in the video?