Description
Mayfly Nymphs – Life Below the Surface
Mayfly nymphs are the engine of the river and lake ecosystem. They are active year-round and represent a constant, reliable food source for trout and grayling from early spring to late autumn. To fish a mayfly nymph successfully, you must understand their behavior. They are categorized into three main types: Digging, Swimming, and Clinging nymphs, each adapted to specific environments.
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Digging Nymphs: Found in lakes and slow-moving river sections with soft or sandy bottoms. These include some of the giants, like the Green Drake (Ephemera danica).
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Swimming Nymphs: Agile and active, these are found in both still and moving water. They are often drift-feeders, like the Claret Dun (Leptophlebia).
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Clinging Nymphs: The "bodybuilders" of the mayfly world. Short, compact, and powerful, they live on rocks in the roughest currents, like the Yellow May Dun (Heptagenia).
Our Commitment: Anatomical Accuracy & Performance Since mayfly nymphs spend most of their lives tucked away near the bottom, they only become truly vulnerable when they lose their grip, drift to find food, or begin their journey to the surface to hatch. This is when the fish strike.
Our commitment is to provide imitations that match the specific silhouette and behavior of these three categories. By using J:son’s unique materials, we create nymphs with the correct proportions, lifelike legs, and balanced weight.
The Micro-Baetis Match – J:son Mayfly Nymph 4 Olive Brown (Hook #18) The Olive Brown Nymph 5 in size #18 is our most delicate and realistic representation of the smallest swimming nymphs, specifically designed to match the tiniest species within the Baetidae family. The olive-brown coloration is a universal "match-the-hatch" winner, mimicking the natural tones of small nymphs found in almost every river and lake environment. In this "super-micro" size, the fly is an essential tool when fish are focused on minute insects during late-season hatches or in crystal-clear water.
Tied on an ultra-fine size #18 hook, this model is unweighted, allowing for a completely natural and slow drift that mimics a tiny nymph caught in the current. Despite its miniature scale, J:son’s anatomical precision remains unparalleled, featuring a segmented body and lifelike legs that create the correct silhouette. When trout and grayling are feeding selectively on "Tiny Blue-Winged Olives" or other micro-mayflies, this #18 nymph on a long, fine leader provides the subtle realism needed to trigger a take.