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 High-Contrast Micro Sinker – J:son Tungsten Mayfly Nymph 4 Black (Hook #14) The Tungsten Black Nymph 4 in size #14 is a specialized tool designed for maximum visibility in a small profile. A black silhouette offers the sharpest possible contrast underwater, making this fly stand out against a bright sky or a light-colored riverbed. This is especially effective in very clear water or, conversely, in peat-stained "tea-colored" streams where darker profiles are easier for fish to track.
Despite its small size, this nymph features integrated tungsten weighting to ensure it breaks the surface tension and reaches the bottom quickly. It is an ideal match for the darker swimming nymphs of the Baetidae family. J:son’s hallmark anatomical realism is preserved through a segmented body and lifelike legs that remain stable even in turbulent currents. This is a must-have pattern for technical nymphing when you need a small but heavy fly that provides a clear, unmistakable target for feeding trout and grayling.