Naked Prince Nymph Jig
The naked prince nymph is a variation on the classic that is quick to tie at the vise and deadly effective on fish. Taking inspiration from the sexy Walt’s worm, this fly uses flashabou as a ribbing instead of gold mylar. The tail is Coq de Leon instead of goose biots, and the wing case is omitted. Add the jig hook, tungsten bead, and a red hot spot, and this simple pattern is sure to entice picky trout.
Materials Needed:
Hook: Hanak H 400 BL or Firehole 551 Jig Hook (e.g., size 8-12), Size 12 shown
Bead: Tungsten Bead (sized to hook), Size 3.5mm Shown
Weight: 0.015in. or 0.3mm lead free wire
Thread: Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread 6/0 or 8/0, red
Tail: Coq de Leon fibers or micro fibbetts, barred brown or ginger
Ribbing: Flashabou, Pearl
Body: Peacock herl, natural
Hot spot: Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread 6/0 or 8/0, red
Secure the hook
Slide the slotted, tungsten bead onto the hook, and place it in the vise.
Add lead
Make four or five turns of lead wire, and slide the lead wraps tight against the bead.
Start your thread
Start the thread behind the lead wraps. Build a small taper up to the lead.
Taper the body
Continue to taper the thread towards to the bead. Wrap a thread base stopping at the hook bend.
Build the tail
Tie in a few Coq de Leon fibers to form a tail extending approximately one shank length from the hook bend.
Add the flashabou
Tie in a single strand of flashabou at the hook bend.
Secure the peacock herl
Take approximately three peacock herls, and break off the brittle tip ends. Tie the peacock herl in at the hook bend.
Form the body
Wrap the peacock forward, making each wrap touch the next. Secure the fibers just behind the bead.
Palmer the flashabou & finish the fly
Wrap the flashabou forward to just behind the bead. Make tight, evenly spaced wraps to add flash and help secure the peacock herl. Whip finish the thread, forming a red band or “hot spot” behind the bead. Add a drop of head cement to the thread wraps.
Fishing the naked prince nymph
Standard nymph presentations are effective, and the naked prince is a great fly to anchor a multi-fly euro-nymphing rig. I often fish it alone on a tightline or under an indicator as well.
