A general mayfly-nymph teaching pattern with a dubbed abdomen, wire rib, darker thorax and peacock wingcase.
“All Purpose Nymph” is a broad label in the source index, whose photo gives no materials. This tan example follows the educational mayfly nymph in The Elements of Fly Tying; the author presents it as a standard construction exercise rather than a named original. Its connection to the index photo is unverified.
Work through the numbered steps in order, using the materials list and written proportions as your guide.
01
Set bead and thread
Slide the bead to the hook eye and cover the shank with black tying thread. Build a few thread wraps immediately behind the bead to keep it seated.
Bench note Leave enough bare room behind the bead for the final tie-off.
02
Tie a sparse tail
At the bend, secure a small bunch of natural hackle fibers along the top of the shank. Keep their tips about one hook gape long and bind the butts forward to smooth the underbody.
Bench note A thin tail looks more like a mayfly nymph than a full plume.
03
Dub and rib the abdomen
Anchor fine wire beneath the shank at the tail. Dub a slender tan abdomen to roughly the shank midpoint, tapering wider toward the front. Spiral the wire forward in open turns and tie it down.
Bench note Reserve nearly half the shank for a distinct thorax.
04
Set the wingcase
Tie five or six peacock herls on top at the front of the abdomen, with their loose lengths extending toward the bend. Keep the tie-in centered above the hook.
Bench note Use several herls so the case remains visible after the thorax is built.
05
Build thorax and finish
Dub a fuller thorax from tan dubbing mixed with a little brown. Pull the peacock herls forward over its top and secure them behind the bead. Trim the ends, whip finish and pick a few dubbing fibers out to suggest legs.
Bench note The thorax should be darker and broader than the abdomen.
Beyond the bench
On the water.
Fish the beadhead on a dead drift near the streambed where mayfly nymphs are available. Vary the amount of underbody weight for depth and current; keep the tapered abdomen and darker thorax when changing colors.