Skip to content
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).

Click here to read more...

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 Depth Charge Pheasant Tail - Gold Tungsten Bead

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

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 details

Fulling Mill Pheasant Tail Flashback - Gold Tungsten Bead

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

If 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 details

Fulling Mill March Brown

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

March Browns are an important food source for river trout, but this simple dark nymph is an ideal general-purpose pattern suitable for imitating a ...

View full details

Fulling Mill Living Damsel - Dark Olive

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

A Damsel you won't be able to resist. The Living Damsel nymph imitation is tied with a realistic-looking extended body and weighted eyes. The weigh...

View full details

Fulling Mill Depth Charge Hares Ear - Black Gold Tungsten Bead

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

A 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 details

Fulling Mill Gold Ribbed Hare's Ear Nymph - Natural

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

The gold rib is what the name is about The dressing goes back a long way, with hare's ear fur turning up in patterns Charles Cotton set down in 167...

View full details

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

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

No weight at all, which is the whole point An unweighted nymph does things a beaded one cannot. It can be fished slowly over a weed bed without dra...

View full details

Fulling Mill Flashback Pheasant Tail - Gold Bead

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

This best selling Nymph will make stalking easier. The gold bead pulls the fly deeper, whilst the pearlescent flashback make this a useful stalking...

View full details

Fulling Mill Cruncher Original - Premium Fishing Fly

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

The One & Only, Original Cruncher. This is the original best-selling Cruncher pattern - a lightweight slow sinking nymph pattern that is highly...

View full details

Fulling Mill Corixa (Water Boatman) Silver Paddles - Premium Wet Fly

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

An excellent, natural looking imitation to use when fish are feeding on natural corixa. Try it around the weed beds when water boatmen are active. ...

View full details

Fulling Mill Copper John

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

Built to sink, not to imitate John Barr tied the first of these in Colorado in 1993 with one aim, to get a rig down fast. A wire body, a bead and a...

View full details

Fulling Mill Brass Bead Mayfly Micro

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

It's micro, it's marvellous... it's the Mayfly. The Mayfly Micro covers the smaller mayfly species and also some of the larger Pale Olives. It's a ...

View full details

Fulling Mill Black Seals Fur Nymph

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

The Seals Fur nymph is a great all-round pattern that has been a worldwide favourite for decades. Effective in both rivers and lakes, this pattern ...

View full details

Fulling Mill Tungsten SR Orange Tag - Barbless Jig

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

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 details

Fulling Mill Tungsten Pink Tag - Barbless Jig

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

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 details

Fulling Mill Tungsten Pink Hot Spot - 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 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 details

Fulling Mill Tungsten Pheasant Tail Hot Spot - Barbless Jig

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

Rides 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 details

Fulling Mill Tungsten KJ March Brown - 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 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 details

Fulling Mill Tungsten KJ CdC Red Tag - 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 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 details

Fulling Mill Tungsten Duracell - 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 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 details

Fulling Mill Tungsten Czech Pheasant Tail Copper - Barbless

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

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 details

Fulling Mill Tungsten Czech Pheasant Tail Black - Barbless

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

A 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 details

Fulling Mill Tungsten Andrzejs High Visibility - Barbless

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

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

Fulling Mill 3D Glass Blood Worm

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

This is the larva, not the buzzer, and it lives on the bottom A bloodworm is the larval stage of the midge, and it is red because it carries haemog...

View full details