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Nymphing on the Tumut River

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).

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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.

NEED HELP CHOOSING FLIES? CONTACT US TODAY

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.


Fulling Mill White Bead Pheasant Tail - Barbless Jig

Fulling Mill
Original price $4.20 - Original price $4.20
Original price
$4.20
$4.20 - $4.20
Current price $4.20

A Pheasant Tail with a Glowing Difference If you don't have a UV torch, buy on, steal one do whatever you have to to just get one. Then shine it on...

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Fulling Mill Roza's Pink Hares Ear - Barbless Jig

Fulling Mill
Original price $4.20 - Original price $4.20
Original price
$4.20
$4.20 - $4.20
Current price $4.20

Buggy where it counts, bright where it needs to be Hare's fur is the scruffiest dubbing there is, and the guard hairs standing out from the body su...

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Fulling Mill SR Orange Head Mary - Barbless

Fulling Mill
Original price $4.20 - Original price $4.20
Original price
$4.20
$4.20 - $4.20
Current price $4.20

Tricky Rainbows? Seems like a misnomer but they do exist... Anyone that's spotted pods of rainbows and simply can t get them to eat late season and...

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Fulling Mill SR Pink Head Mary - Barbless

Fulling Mill
Original price $4.20 - Original price $4.20
Original price
$4.20
$4.20 - $4.20
Current price $4.20

Tricky Rainbows? Seems like a misnomer but they do exist... Anyone that's spotted pods of rainbows and simply can t get them to eat late season and...

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Fulling Mill 3D Glass Buzzer - Dark Olive

Fulling Mill
Original price $2.90 - Original price $2.90
Original price
$2.90
$2.90 - $2.90
Current price $2.90

Real pupae are translucent, which is why glass works When a midge pupa is ready to hatch it fills with gas under its own skin and starts a slow ver...

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Fulling Mill Flexi Floss Buzzer Black

Fulling Mill
Original price $2.90 - Original price $2.90
Original price
$2.90
$2.90 - $2.90
Current price $2.90

Banded, because a real pupa is Stretch flexi floss over a hook and you get hard, distinct segments rather than the soft fuzz of dubbing, and a midg...

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Fulling Mill Depth Charge Czech Mate Hare's Ear - Amber

Fulling Mill
Original price $3.90 - Original price $3.90
Original price
$3.90
$3.90 - $3.90
Current price $3.90

Czech, Mate. Who doesn't love an excellent pun? Be warned though this fly is no joke! A very serious bottom-bouncing fish catcher straight form the...

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Fulling Mill OE Double Bead Beatis

Fulling Mill
Original price $4.20 - Original price $4.20
Original price
$4.20
$4.20 - $4.20
Current price $4.20

Beatis are back! Then again they never really went anywhere... An ultra-slim profile, super lifelike tail and leg arrangement, this fly is a clear/...

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Fulling Mill Natural Pheasant Tail - Barbless Jig

Fulling Mill
Original price $4.20 - Original price $4.20
Original price
$4.20
$4.20 - $4.20
Current price $4.20

A standout-natural Pheasant tail Jig This is a stellar all-rounder of a jig pattern. Natural with just the slightest hint of flash around the thora...

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Fulling Mill Hare's Ear Natural (Gold Nugget)

Fulling Mill
Original price $3.90 - Original price $3.90
Original price
$3.90
$3.90 - $3.90
Current price $3.90

The Gold Nugget at the end of the Rainbow Although it's much more likely to be found in a Rainbow's mouth than at the end of an actual Rainbow. A g...

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Fulling Mill KJ Dirty Water Jig - Barbless

Fulling Mill
Original price $4.20 - Original price $4.20
Original price
$4.20
$4.20 - $4.20
Current price $4.20

Get Down, Get Dirty A great Jig fly for dirty water; a little bit of CdC, a touch of flash and all class from Kieron Jenkins.

Fulling Mill Buzzer Black [Superglue]

Fulling Mill
Original price $2.90 - Original price $2.90
Original price
$2.90
$2.90 - $2.90
Current price $2.90

Fish two or three, and let the wind do the work Buzzers are usually fished as a team rather than singly. Put two or three on a long leader, cast ou...

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Fulling Mill Buzzer Tungsten Nugget Olive Barbless

Fulling Mill
Original price $4.20 - Original price $4.20
Original price
$4.20
$4.20 - $4.20
Current price $4.20

Weight without thickness, which is harder than it sounds A real midge pupa is very slim, and most ways of adding weight to a fly make it fatter. A ...

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Fulling Mill Micro Midge Black

Fulling Mill
Original price $3.30 - Original price $3.30
Original price
$3.30
$3.30 - $3.30
Current price $3.30

This micro midge with its weighted gold bead head is an ideal point fly when used with the Specialist Buzzers on the droppers as part of a delicat...

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Fulling Mill Peeping Caddis - Barbless Jig

Fulling Mill
Original price $4.20 - Original price $4.20
Original price
$4.20
$4.20 - $4.20
Current price $4.20

Peeping out to get eaten This Jig caddis pattern is tied with a tungsten bead which is perfect for when the fish are hard on the bottom in a big...

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Fulling Mill Gold Ribbed Hare's Ear Nymph - Natural Weighted

Fulling Mill
Original price $3.90 - Original price $3.90
Original price
$3.90
$3.90 - $3.90
Current price $3.90

Weight under the dressing, nothing bright at the head This version carries its weight beneath the body rather than in a bead, so it sinks without a...

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Fulling Mill Pheasant Tail Micro (Nugget) - Barbless

Fulling Mill
Original price $3.30 - Original price $3.30
Original price
$3.30
$3.30 - $3.30
Current price $3.30

A micro gold beaded version of the classic Pheasant Tail Nymph which is probably the most popular nymph pattern the world over, effective for both ...

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Fulling Mill Hare's Ear Copper - Barbless

Fulling Mill
Original price $4.20 - Original price $4.20
Original price
$4.20
$4.20 - $4.20
Current price $4.20

For 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...

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Fulling Mill Hare's Ear Black - Barbless

Fulling Mill
Original price $4.20 - Original price $4.20
Original price
$4.20
$4.20 - $4.20
Current price $4.20

Dark 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...

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Fulling Mill Hare's Ear Natural

Fulling Mill
Original price $4.20 - Original price $4.20
Original price
$4.20
$4.20 - $4.20
Current price $4.20

The 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...

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Fulling Mill Czech Nymph Hares Ear

Fulling Mill
Original price $3.90 - Original price $3.90
Original price
$3.90
$3.90 - $3.90
Current price $3.90

The Czech's hit the nail on the head A lot of people would argue that this is the fly that started the modern 'tight-line' nymphing explosion! Eith...

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Fulling Mill The French - Barbless Jig

Fulling Mill
Original price $4.20 - Original price $4.20
Original price
$4.20
$4.20 - $4.20
Current price $4.20

The 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...

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Fulling Mill Skinny Damsel

Fulling Mill
Original price $2.70 - Original price $2.70
Original price
$2.70
$2.70 - $2.70
Current price $2.70

A skinny damsel that's determined to help. This is a highly mobile pattern for when larger patterns don't get a response. Designed to imitate a dam...

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Fulling Mill Sawyer's Pheasant Tail

Fulling Mill
Original price $2.70 - Original price $2.70
Original price
$2.70
$2.70 - $2.70
Current price $2.70

Two materials, no legs, and it still out-fishes most of the box Frank Sawyer built the original on the Wiltshire Avon in the 1950s from just pheasa...

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