Fulling Mill Copper John

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 slim profile give it a sink rate most nymphs cannot match, which is why it usually goes on the point as the anchor with something lighter above it. It does catch fish on its own account, but its real job is putting the rest of your flies where the trout are. Use it in fast, deep water where a standard nymph never reaches the bottom.