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 Baetis Specialist – J:son Mayfly Nymph 3 Olive Brown (Hook #12) The Olive Brown Nymph 3 in size #12 is the ultimate imitation for the smaller swimming nymphs of the Baetidae family, such as the Baetis rhodani (Large Dark Olive), and smaller Leptophlebiidae. These "swimming nymphs" are known for their slender profiles and quick, darting movements. In this size, the olive-brown coloration perfectly mimics the natural shades found in riverbeds and silty lake bottoms, providing a subtle but highly effective target for selective trout and grayling.
Tied on a precise size #12 hook, this fly retains a delicate and realistic profile that is essential in clear water or highly pressured areas. J:son’s anatomical design includes a segmented body and lifelike legs that create the correct footprint in the water. For best results, fish this nymph on a long leader with a dead-drift technique, or use a very slow, jerky retrieve to simulate the natural swimming action of a Baetis nymph moving through the water column.