Fly Fishing Gear | Nymphs
From the legendary Copper John to the fan-favourite Pink Tag Jig, we range a fantastic collection of Fulling Mill and Category 3 nymphs, suitable for use in our local area, around Australia and next door (New Zealand).
WHAT IS A NYMPH? A nymph is a type of fly designed to imitate the aquatic larval stage of insects. Unlike dry flies, which float on the water's surface, nymphs are meant to sink below the surface, mimicking insects that drift or crawl along the bottom of rivers and streams. Nymphs are effective for catching fish that are feeding on subsurface prey, making them a key tool in many fly fishing scenarios. WHEN TO FISH NYMPHS Nymphing is particularly effective in situations where fish are focused on subsurface prey rather than surface insects. Nymphs are a go-to choice when you observe that fish are not actively feeding on or near the surface, which can be common in periods of low insect hatch activity. Their ability to imitate the aquatic larval stage of insects makes them suitable for catching fish that are foraging close to the bottom which makes them an effective choice in all seasons. In terms of water conditions, nymphs are versatile and can be effective in a range of environments. They are well-suited for both moving and still water, particularly in deeper pools, runs, or areas with a slower current where fish are likely to be holding close to the bottom. Nymph fishing is also beneficial in murky or stained water, as these flies can still attract fish even when visibility is reduced. By fishing nymphs, anglers can effectively target fish that are feeding in the subsurface layers, which is crucial for successful fishing when surface activity is minimal. WHAT IS AN IDEAL NYMPHING SETUP? For an ideal nymph setup, the rod, line, leader, and tippet all need to be carefully chosen. A rod suitable for nymph fishing typically has a weight range from 4 to 6. Rod lengths usually range from 9 to 11 feet for nymph fishing, with longer rods being favored for techniques such as Euro nymphing, which requires greater control and sensitivity. The line used for nymph fishing is often a weight-forward floating line or a dedicated nymphing line with a specific taper. For Euro nymphing, a specialized line with a thin diameter and high visibility is commonly used, which helps in detecting subtle takes and maintaining control over the drift. Leaders for nymph fishing are generally longer and heavier than those used for dry fly fishing, ranging from 9 to 15 feet. A tapered leader helps with turnover and ensures a smooth presentation, while for Euro nymphing, a level leader with a fine diameter is often used to maintain sensitivity and control.
Tippets are crucial in connecting the leader to the nymph and should be chosen based on the size of the nymph and the target fish. For nymph fishing, tippet sizes typically range from 4X to 7X, with lighter tippets being used for smaller nymphs and delicate presentations. In Euro nymphing, the tippet is usually thinner to enhance sensitivity and detect subtle strikes. If you have a particular nymphing setup in mind but would appreciate some additional advice. Simply get in touch with our friendly sales team – they’re always up for a chat. You can contact us by calling our Tumut store on (02) 6947 4062 or by email.Click here to read more...
Category 3 All Black - Black Tungsten Bead
Category 3 Fly CompanyTurn over a rock and see how much of it is black Most of what lives on a river bed is small and dark, and a black nymph covers more of it than any ...
View full detailsCategory 3 101 - Black Tungsten Bead
Category 3 Fly Company5.0 / 5.0
2 Reviews
Rubber legs keep moving when the fly is not The point of a big searching nymph is that a fish notices it from a distance, and rubber legs do that b...
View full detailsCategory 3 Consultant UV Olive - Black Tungsten Bead
Category 3 Fly CompanyOccasionally fish like something bright with a high Ultra Violet content. This fly can be very effective on a Tailwater fishery especially in low ...
View full detailsCategory 3 Consultant UV Pink - Black Tungsten Bead
Category 3 Fly CompanyOccasionally fish like something bright with a high Ultra Violet content. This fly can be very effective in a Tailwater fishery, especially in low...
View full detailsCategory 3 York - Copper Tungsten Bead
Category 3 Fly CompanyTied on a Tiemco 2457 super strong curved nymph hook with a wide gape. Curved wide gape hooks give you a better hook set. Another Pheasant tail v...
View full detailsCategory 3 Hare & Copper - Copper Tungsten Bead
Category 3 Fly CompanyBead and rib in the same metal, and it looks it The copper bead is the version that matches the fly to itself: the same warm metal as the wire rib ...
View full detailsFulling Mill Hare's Ear Copper - Barbless
Fulling MillFor fish that are grubbing about on the bottom When trout are working the river bed rather than looking up, the fly needs to be down there with the...
View full detailsFulling Mill Hare's Ear Black - Barbless
Fulling MillDark and heavy, for cold water at the start of the season Early season water is often cold and carrying colour, and that is when a dark nymph outfi...
View full detailsFulling Mill Hare's Ear Natural
Fulling MillThe one that goes on when you have no better idea There is a reason this is the pattern most anglers tie on first in unfamiliar water. It is not bu...
View full detailsFulling Mill The French - Barbless Jig
Fulling MillThe French Nymph has been a deadly pattern for trout and grayling the world over. Use this fly in all sizes on either the point or dropper of a two...
View full detailsFulling Mill Depth Charge Pheasant Tail - Gold Tungsten Bead
Fulling Mill5.0 / 5.0
2 Reviews
It's exquisite, it's simple - it's everything you could ask for in a fly. Believe it or not, this particular nymph is one of the most popular patte...
View full detailsFulling Mill Pheasant Tail Flashback - Gold Tungsten Bead
Fulling MillIf you're after a nymph that will reach all the right places - stay where you are, this is it! In addition to the gold tungsten bead, the crystal h...
View full detailsFulling Mill Depth Charge Hares Ear - Black Gold Tungsten Bead
Fulling MillA best seller. A simple, dark, generic nymph featuring a large tungsten bead at the head to help get your fly right deep down to feeding fish. Here...
View full detailsFulling Mill Tungsten SR Orange Tag - Barbless Jig
Fulling Mill5.0 / 5.0
2 Reviews
Orange, for the water pink cannot cut through Orange holds its colour deeper and in dirtier water than pink does, so this is the tag jig for heavy ...
View full detailsFulling Mill Tungsten Pink Tag - Barbless Jig
Fulling Mill5.0 / 5.0
5 Reviews
Same pink, moved to the other end A tag sits at the tail rather than the head, which changes what a fish sees: a dark body with the trigger trailin...
View full detailsFulling Mill Tungsten Pink Hot Spot - Barbless Jig
Fulling Mill4.0 / 5.0
1 Review
A flash of pink where the fish looks first The hot spot sits at the head, right at the point a trout focuses as the fly comes past, and pink is abo...
View full detailsFulling Mill Tungsten Pheasant Tail Hot Spot - Barbless Jig
Fulling MillRides point up, so it goes where you would not risk a normal nymph The jig hook is the whole point. A slotted tungsten bead flips the hook so it ri...
View full detailsFulling Mill Tungsten KJ March Brown - Barbless Jig
Fulling Mill5.0 / 5.0
1 Review
The imitative one, for when the water is low and clear Where most weighted jigs lean on a hot spot to get noticed, this one relies on looking right...
View full detailsFulling Mill Tungsten KJ CdC Red Tag - Barbless Jig
Fulling MillThe most Australian fly there is, on a jig hook Martyn Flynn tied the first Red Tag in Worcestershire in the 1850s and called it the Worcestershire...
View full detailsFulling Mill Tungsten Duracell - Barbless Jig
Fulling MillThe Duracell just keeps on going, and going, and going... Jig hook, UV and the subtle nature of CdC combine to create one of the best Nymphs that w...
View full detailsFulling Mill Tungsten Czech Pheasant Tail Copper - Barbless
Fulling Mill5.0 / 5.0
1 Review
A tactical fly that features a tungsten bead to help get your fly right down to feeding fish fast. Here at Tom's Outdoors, we know a premium produc...
View full detailsFulling Mill Tungsten Czech Pheasant Tail Black - Barbless
Fulling MillA classic nymph style with fish-pulling powers. The Fulling Mill Tungsten Czech Pheasant Tail Black is a slight variation on the ever-popular and p...
View full detailsFulling Mill Tungsten Andrzejs High Visibility - Barbless
Fulling Mill5.0 / 5.0
2 Reviews
A highly visible barbless fly that features a tungsten bead to help get your fly right down to feeding fish fast. Here at Tom's Outdoors, we know a...
View full details