Montana Nymph Fly Patterns Make Easy Fishing

Hook – Size 12 to 8 Mustad 3906, B, wet nymph or sproat – 2x or 4x
The hook is the foundation of the fly, and for Montana nymph patterns, the Mustad 3906 is a solid choice. The size range of 12 to 8 offers versatility, while the 2x or 4x bend adds durability for larger fish. Choose the wet nymph or sproat design for a curved, lifelike shape that mimics natural aquatic insects.

Thread – Black 6/0
Black 6/0 thread is the ideal choice for securing materials to the hook. It provides the right strength and delicacy, ensuring a smooth, consistent build. The black color helps blend into the natural environment of the water, providing a subtle base that works well with other materials.

Weighted – Optional Lead Body
A lead body is optional but highly effective for helping the fly sink to the proper depth. This adds weight to the fly, enabling it to reach the strike zone quicker and maintain proper drift in fast-moving water. The lead body can be wrapped around the hook shank to achieve the desired weight.

Bead Head – Optional
Adding a bead head is an alternative to using lead for weighting the fly. It provides a more compact weight that can help the fly sink faster. The bead adds extra appeal by reflecting light in murky water, and it can help attract fish from a greater distance. Gold, copper, or black are popular bead colors for nymphs.

Tail – Black Hackle
A black hackle tail helps create a natural, flowing appearance that mimics the movement of nymphs in the water. The dark color enhances contrast against the rest of the fly, making it more visible to fish. The tail should be long enough to move freely in the current but not so long that it overpowers the rest of the fly.

Body – Black Chenille or Orvis Crystal Antron
The body material is key to replicating the natural look of a nymph. Black chenille provides a dense, solid body, while Orvis Crystal Antron adds a slightly shiny, reflective quality. Both materials help create the illusion of a real nymph’s segmented body, with black being an ideal color to match common aquatic insects.

Thorax – Yellow Chenille
The thorax section adds a subtle contrast to the body, mimicking the coloration of a nymph’s developing wing pads or other internal features. Yellow chenille is a perfect choice for this section, adding brightness and realism to the fly. It should be proportionate to the body to maintain balance and ensure the fly looks natural.

Wing Case – Same as Body
For the wing case, use the same material as the body, whether that’s black chenille or Orvis Crystal Antron. This creates a seamless transition between the body and the wing case, adding depth and texture to the fly. It helps the fly resemble a true nymph, with its delicate wing pads showing through.

Legs – Black Hackle
The legs, made from black hackle, should extend outward from the thorax to mimic the natural movement of a nymph’s legs as it swims or drifts. Black hackle fibers provide a realistic appearance and motion in the water, making the fly more lifelike. Proper leg placement is key to ensuring the fly moves naturally in the current.

By carefully selecting these materials, you’ll create a Montana nymph pattern that closely resembles the natural aquatic insects in your fishing area. The right combination of colors, textures, and motion will make your fly irresistible to trout and other species.

Start by wrapping the thread to the rear of the hook bend, laying a solid foundation for your fly. This first step ensures the materials will stay securely in place as you move through the pattern. Next, take your tail material—black hackle works well—and tie it in securely, ensuring it extends evenly behind the hook. The tail should mimic the natural appearance of a nymph’s movement in the water. Once the tail is in place, secure it with tight thread wraps to ensure durability during use.

If you’re opting for added weight, take the optional 0.15 lead wire and wrap it around the hook, securing it to add necessary ballast to the fly. This step helps your nymph sink to the proper depth quickly, especially in fast-moving water. Once the weight is in place, cover it with thread, making sure to keep it smooth and even along the shank.

Now it’s time to add the body material. I prefer using Orvis Crystal Antron for its subtle sparkle and reflective qualities, which attract fish by imitating the sheen of a real nymph. Tie in the body material just behind the hook’s eye, and begin wrapping it forward, covering about two-thirds of the hook shank. Secure the body material with thread at the end of the body wrap, leaving a little extra hanging off the back of the hook—this will become your wing case. Don’t cut off the excess material yet, as it will play a key role in the fly’s final structure.

Next, tie in a small black saddle hackle, tips first, right where the body ends. This hackle will simulate the legs of the nymph. Make sure the fibers are evenly distributed, and tie them in tightly, securing them along the hook shank. These legs should be positioned just behind the thorax, where they can give the fly lifelike movement when drifting in the current.

Tie in the yellow chenille (or another color if desired) for the thorax. This section will contrast with the black body, mimicking the nymph’s developing internal parts. Wrap the chenille forward, toward the hook eye, and secure it in place. Be careful not to crowd the hook’s eye, as this will make finishing the fly more difficult. Trim off any excess chenille once it’s secured.

To finish the thorax section, take a black saddle hackle and wrap two or three full wraps over the yellow chenille, extending towards the hook eye. These wraps simulate the legs and give the fly a more natural, segmented look. Space the wraps evenly and tie them off securely, cutting away any excess.

Now, take the excess body material that you secured on top of the hook earlier, and pull it over the thorax to form the wing case. This step helps complete the natural appearance of a nymph, especially as it drifts. Once the wing case is in place, secure it tightly with your thread and trim any excess.

Finally, create a neat head by tapering the thread from the thorax toward the hook eye, ensuring that the fly tapers smoothly from body to head. Tie off securely and cut the thread, leaving a clean, finished fly ready for the water.

This step-by-step process will give you a durable, realistic Montana Nymph that can be used in a variety of fishing conditions. With its lifelike appearance and effective materials, this fly will appeal to a wide range of fish species.