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 Heavyweight Favorite – J:son Tungsten Mayfly Nymph 2 Olive Brown (Hook #6) The Tungsten Olive Brown Nymph 2 in size #6 is a large and heavy imitation of the most significant species of swimming and digging mayfly nymphs. Equipped with integrated tungsten weighting, this fly is engineered to rapidly penetrate the water column and reach the feeding zones near the bottom, even in the deepest pools and most turbulent currents.
Olive Brown is a universal color that mimics the natural hues of nymphs in nearly all types of water, making it an indispensable pattern for your fly box. The robust size #6 hook provides the weight and substantial profile required to attract trophy fish. J:son’s anatomical realism—featuring a segmented body and lifelike legs—creates a perfect "footprint" in the water, fooling even the most experienced trout or grayling. This is the obvious choice for "heavy nymphing" when you need to get deep and present a large, realistic mouthful.