Mayfly - Nymphs:

Below are a few photos of some of my hand tied nymph patterns that have been very productive on the Upper Delaware River and West Branch of the Delaware River throughout the past twenty one years that I've offered half day and full day river charters using a McKenzie driftboat in the Catskill / Pocono region of New York State and Pennsylvania. My daily river fishing blog can be accessed here and articles about my guide service along with this great resource can be accessed here. I will add more flies throughout the winter months of 2016.

Nymphs. The aquactic insect stage of the mayfly which can only exist in clean water.

For the most part, mayfly nymphs can be located in shallow, fast moving riffles of less than three feet where there is plenty of oxygen. They live under rocks and, at times, become dislodged either by increased current flow or time of year / conducive water temperatures to swim up in the current to become a mayfly.

When this occurs, they present a meal for trout. Fish will use submerged boulders to prey on these insects as they flow down channels and foam lines in the river.

Trout can still be caught when there is no apparent hatch. In fact, about 80% of a trout's diet is made up of nymphs so it pays to learn how to read the water to become a proficient angler who can catch and release trout during non-hatch periods.

All of my hand tied flies are provided to my fishing clients free of charge since I want YOU to have the best success on your river fishing trip and hatches will change throughout the spring, summer and fall.

Depending on the size of fly, the diameter of the tippet size should compliment the size of the fly and your leader should be at least nine feet long with about two feet of tippet material. A general rule is usually: Flies size 18 through 22: 6x / Flies size 14 through 16: 5x / Flies size 10 through 14: 4 or 5x.

My flies are also for sale as well. Simply contact me by email, text or voice if you have any questions. References from satisfied customers are available and, yes, these flies produce not only on the Upper Delaware River and Catskill streams but have fooled wild trout all over the world!


Miss Mary Meeker #10, #12, #14, #16

Goldfinger - #10, #12, #14, #16

Prince - #10, #12, #14, #16


Poor Fred - #10, #12, #14, #16

Doctor Copper - #10, #12, #14, #16

Purcell's Fancy - #10, #12, #14, #16
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