A pale gray mayfly nymph exemplar with a short pheasant-fiber tail, yellow wire rib, drake-mallard wing pads and matching hen hackle.
The source index names a “Standard Gray Nymph” photograph without disclosing the pictured dressing. This page uses Claretbumbler’s separately documented Grey Mayfly Nymph as a specific pale-gray exemplar; the photographed source fly is not identified as this recipe.
Work through the numbered steps in order, using the materials list and written proportions as your guide.
01
Anchor tail and rib
Start the black tying silk and carry it to the bend. Tie in a few short cock-pheasant-tail fibers and a length of yellow wire.
02
Make the rusty butt
Dub one or two tight turns of dull rusty-orange fur immediately in front of the tail.
03
Dub a tapered gray body
Apply pale-gray seal’s fur thinly over the silk and wind it toward the eye, gradually thickening the profile while leaving room for the hackle and head.
04
Rib the body
Spiral the yellow wire through the gray fur in even, open turns. Secure and trim the wire at the front.
05
Place the wing pads
Tie dark-gray drake-mallard wing fibers over the upper thorax as short wing pads. Keep both sides even.
06
Wind the hen hackle
Tie in a pale-gray dyed hen hackle and make two soft turns at the front of the body. Secure the feather and trim the stem.
07
Finish the small head
Build a compact silk head, whip finish, and keep the eye open.
Beyond the bench
On the water.
The tier fishes this unweighted, slim nymph on a dropper with a heavier fly on the tail, especially when mayfly fishing is difficult in calm conditions.