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.
-
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).
-
Swimming Nymphs: Agile and active, these are found in both still and moving water. They are often drift-feeders, like the Claret Dun (Leptophlebia).
-
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 Barbless Micro-Nymph – J:son Mayfly Nymph 5 Black (Hook #18 BL) The Black Nymph 5 BL in size #18 is the ultimate technical tool for the conservation-minded angler. This "super-micro" imitation is designed to match the smallest swimming nymphs of the Baetidae family, such as the tiniest Baetis species. On a barbless (BL) hook, this fly is perfect for catch-and-release waters where minimal impact on the fish is required, while still providing a secure and reliable hookset.
This version is unweighted, which allows the nymph to drift with total naturalness in the upper water column or just below the surface film. Despite its minute size, it retains J:son's signature anatomical realism with a segmented body and lifelike legs that create a perfect footprint. The sharp black silhouette offers maximum contrast, making it easy for trout and grayling to spot in clear mountain streams or calm lake margins. When the hatch is small and the fish are shy, this #18 barbless nymph on a fine tippet is often the key to success.