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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 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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Category 3 York - Gold Tungsten Bead

Category 3 Fly Company
Original price $4.20 - Original price $4.20
Original price
$4.20
$4.20 - $4.20
Current price $4.20

Another Pheasant tail variant with ice blue dubbing in the thorax This is the gold tungsten bead version. A firm favourite with trout worldwide. T...

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Category 3 York - Black Tungsten Bead

Category 3 Fly Company
Original price $4.20 - Original price $4.20
Original price
$4.20
$4.20 - $4.20
Current price $4.20

Another Pheasant tail variant with ice blue dubbing in the thorax This is the black tungsten bead version.A firm favourite with trout worldwide....

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Category 3 Prince of UV - Black Tungsten Bead

Category 3 Fly Company
Original price $4.20 - Original price $4.20
Original price
$4.20
$4.20 - $4.20
Current price $4.20

Two white biots, and nothing in the river looks like that The white goose biots laid along the back are what make a Prince a Prince, and they are t...

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Category 3 Pole Position - Red Tungsten Bead

Category 3 Fly Company
Original price $4.20 - Original price $4.20
Original price
$4.20
$4.20 - $4.20
Current price $4.20

For slow water, where the fish gets a long look Fast water forces a quick decision and a fish will take something imperfect. Slow water does the op...

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Category 3 Magic May - Black Tungsten Bead

Category 3 Fly Company
Original price $4.20 - Original price $4.20
Original price
$4.20
$4.20 - $4.20
Current price $4.20

Most nymph boxes are two sizes too big Small dark mayfly nymphs make up more of what a trout eats than anything else in the water, and they are con...

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Category 3 Hoover - Gold Tungsten Bead

Category 3 Fly Company
Original price $4.20 - Original price $4.20
Original price
$4.20
$4.20 - $4.20
Current price $4.20

Named Hoover, because it sucks up every fish in the stream Tied on a Tiemco 2457 super strong curved nymph hook with a wide gape. Curved wide gape...

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Category 3 Hoover - Copper Tungsten Bead

Category 3 Fly Company
Original price $4.20 - Original price $4.20
Original price
$4.20
$4.20 - $4.20
Current price $4.20

Named Hoover, because it sucks up every fish in the stream Tied on a Tiemco 2457 super strong curved nymph hook with a wide gape. Curved wide gape...

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Category 3 Hoover - Black Tungsten Bead

Category 3 Fly Company
Original price $4.20 - Original price $4.20
Original price
$4.20
$4.20 - $4.20
Current price $4.20

Named Hoover, because it sucks up every fish in the stream Tied on a Tiemco 2457 super strong curved nymph hook with a wide gape. Curved wide gape...

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Category 3 Hare & Copper - Gold Tungsten Bead

Category 3 Fly Company
Original price $4.20 - Original price $4.20
Original price
$4.20
$4.20 - $4.20
Current price $4.20

The standard, and still the one that gets the first cast Gold is the bead most nymphs are built around, and there is a reason it has not been displ...

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Category 3 Hare & Copper - Black Tungsten Bead

Category 3 Fly Company
Original price $4.20 - Original price $4.20
Original price
$4.20
$4.20 - $4.20
Current price $4.20

The one to tie on when the fish have seen everything A bright bead is a liability on hard-fished water. Black is the stealth option: it adds the tu...

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Category 3 Flashback Pheasant Tail UV - Black Tungsten Bead

Category 3 Fly Company
Original price $4.20 - Original price $4.20
Original price
$4.20
$4.20 - $4.20
Current price $4.20

Epoxy over the back, and it stays looking new A clear coat over the wing case does two things. It holds a smooth, hard surface that reflects light ...

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Category 3 Red Flashback Pheasant Tail - Black Tungsten Bead

Category 3 Fly Company
Original price $4.20 - Original price $4.20
Original price
$4.20
$4.20 - $4.20
Current price $4.20

The flash is on the back, where a fish looking up will see it Position matters as much as colour. A strip of red laid along the top of the fly rath...

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Category 3 Crucial Ant - Black Tungsten Bead

Category 3 Fly Company
Original price $4.20 - Original price $4.20
Original price
$4.20
$4.20 - $4.20
Current price $4.20

Ants drown, and trout eat far more of them under the surface than on it A dry ant is a summer classic, but the ones a trout actually eats most of a...

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Category 3 Code Red - Black Tungsten Bead

Category 3 Fly Company
Original price $4.20 - Original price $4.20
Original price
$4.20
$4.20 - $4.20
Current price $4.20

The only fly you can rely on in 'Code Red' situations Tied on a Tiemco 2457 super strong curved nymph hook with a wide gape. Curved wide gape hook...

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Category 3 Cheeky Fella Black - Black Tungsten Bead

Category 3 Fly Company
Original price $4.20 - Original price $4.20
Original price
$4.20
$4.20 - $4.20
Current price $4.20

Get this fly up in front of fish with a good presentation and there is a pretty good chance they will eat it Tied on a Tiemco 2457 super strong c...

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Category 3 Big T Caddis - Black Tungsten Bead

Category 3 Fly Company
Original price $4.20 - Original price $4.20
Original price
$4.20
$4.20 - $4.20
Current price $4.20

A green caddis for water you can see the bottom of Caddis larvae are one of the most abundant things in a trout stream and a green cased grub is wh...

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Category 3 All Black - Black Tungsten Bead

Category 3 Fly Company
Original price $4.20 - Original price $4.20
Original price
$4.20
$4.20 - $4.20
Current price $4.20

Turn 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 ...

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