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 Versatile Swimmer – J:son Mayfly Nymph 1 Light Olive (Hook #4) The Light Olive Nymph 1 is a premier imitation of a swimming mayfly nymph, designed to mimic larger species in their active stage. Despite being tied on a sturdy size #4 hook for maximum hooking power, the fly maintains a slender and realistic profile thanks to J:son’s innovative body construction. These nymphs are agile swimmers and frequent drifters, making them a primary target for trout in both rivers and still waters. The light olive coloration is particularly effective in clear water and during the late spring and summer months when olive-colored hatches are most prevalent.
This imitation features a segmented, realistic foam-based body and anatomically correct legs that create subtle vibrations in the water, mimicking a living insect. Its balanced weight allows it to sink at a natural rate, making it perfect for dead-drifting through riffles or fishing with a slow, pulsating retrieve in calmer sections. Whether fished near the bottom or higher in the water column just before a hatch, the Light Olive Nymph 1 on a #4 hook provides the perfect combination of anatomical realism and reliable strength.