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 Ethical Micro Sulphur – J:son Tungsten Mayfly Nymph 5 Sulphur Barbless (Hook #18) The Barbless Tungsten Sulphur Nymph 5 in size #18 is a master of technical "match-the-hatch" nymphing. Tied on a high-quality barbless hook, it is designed for the modern angler who demands both high performance and minimal impact on the fish. The pale yellow-olive and amber tones of the Sulphur series create a realistic, translucent silhouette that is exceptionally effective for selective trout and grayling in clear water.
Despite its miniature profile, this nymph features integrated tungsten weighting. This allows the fly to break surface tension and sink rapidly to the bottom, staying in the strike zone longer than traditional unweighted micro-flies. J:son’s signature anatomical realism—including a delicately segmented body and lifelike legs—ensures a convincing presentation even in slow-moving or highly pressured waters. This #18 Barbless model is the ultimate choice for stalking fish during a sulphur hatch when you need to reach feeding lanes deep in the water column with a fish-friendly, realistic imitation.