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 Technical Micro-Sinker – J:son Tungsten Mayfly Nymph 5 Grey-Beige Barbless (Hook #18) The Barbless Tungsten Grey-Beige Nymph 5 in size #18 is the ultimate choice for highly selective fish in technical waters. Tied on a premium barbless hook, it is designed for the modern catch-and-release angler who demands both high performance and ethical handling. The Grey-Beige color is a natural, muted shade that perfectly imitates the pale camouflage of tiny nymphs found in gravel and sandy-bottomed streams.
Despite its miniature profile, this nymph features integrated tungsten weighting. This allows the fly to break the surface tension and reach the bottom instantly, even in the smallest sizes where traditional flies often struggle to sink. J:son’s legendary anatomical realism is stunningly detailed at this scale, featuring a delicately segmented body and lifelike legs. This #18 model is an indispensable tool for clear-water stalking, slow-moving spring creeks, or as the "hidden" dropper in a dry-dropper rig when fish are keyed in on the smallest forage.