Prince Nymph

Peacock herl, a gold rib, and unmistakable white biot wings. A classic searching nymph.

The Prince pairs a dark, full peacock body with a bright pair of white biots. The two brown tails and swept collar finish its distinctive profile. This recipe keeps the classic outline without a bead, so there is room to learn the biot placement and build a tidy thread head.

At the vise: Intermediate
Common sizes: #10–18

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From hook to fly

At the vise.

6 illustrated steps

Work through the numbered steps in order. Use the written materials and proportions as your guide; select an image for a closer look.

Start the foundation
Secure the hook and start thread behind the eye. Wrap to the bend, then build a tiny thread bump to help separate the tail.
Bench note The tiny rear bump helps the biots separate without bulky wraps.
Split the brown tail
Mount one brown biot on each side of the bump, with natural curves pointing outward. Keep their tips even, about half a shank long. Secure and cover the trimmed butts.
Bench note Check from above that both tips are the same length.
Attach rib and herl
Secure gold tinsel along the shank to the tail base. Remove brittle tips from three or four peacock strands and tie them in at the same point.
Bench note Keep the tie-in smooth so the body can taper evenly.
Wind and rib the body
Twist herl gently around the thread for support, then wind a tapered body. Leave room for collar and head. Counter-wrap gold tinsel in four or five open turns; secure and remove the surplus.
Bench note A counter-rib crosses the herl wraps and helps protect them.
Wrap the brown collar
Tie in a brown hen feather with fibers about one-and-a-half hook gaps long. Make one or two turns, secure and trim. Stroke the fibers back to create a sparse swept collar.
Bench note Less hackle leaves the peacock body and white wings visible.
Set the white wings
Attach white biots on top, pointing back in a shallow V, with tips reaching the body’s rear. Secure both bases, trim excess, then whip finish a small thread head and cement.
Bench note Hold both wing bases firmly until the first securing wraps are tight.

Beyond the bench

On the water.

Fish it below the surface as a searching nymph. Adjust your rig to reach the depth of the fish; this unweighted version will not sink like a tungsten-beaded fly. A natural drift is a useful starting point, and the soft collar can add movement as the fly swings.

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