Copper John
John Barr's heavy metal attractor — built to sink and designed to shine.
The Copper John is a heavy, flashy attractor nymph that sinks like a rock and catches fish like a dream. Its copper wire body, epoxy-coated wing case, and biots tail create a durable, attention-grabbing profile that excels in fast water. It is one of the most popular commercial fly patterns ever created.
History & Lore
John Barr developed the Copper John in Colorado in the early 1990s, refining it over several years before it became commercially available. The pattern's combination of heavy weight, flash, and a mayfly-stonefly hybrid silhouette made it an instant hit. By the 2000s, it was the best-selling nymph in America.
Variations
Red Copper John
Red wire body — especially effective on freestone rivers.
Green Copper John
Chartreuse wire for caddis-colored variation.
Rubber Legs Copper John
Rubber legs replace biots for more movement.
Flashback Copper John
Additional flashback strip over the wing case.
How to Fish It
Fish the Copper John as the point fly in a double-nymph rig, using its weight to pull a lighter dropper into the strike zone. It excels in fast pocket water, deep runs, and plunge pools. The flash from the wire body draws fish from distance.
When to Use
Year-round attractor nymph. Especially effective in moderate to fast water where weight and flash help fish locate the fly.
Materials
- Hook
- TMC 5262, #12-18, 2x heavy nymph
- Bead
- Tungsten or brass bead, copper or gold
- Thread
- Uni 6/0, black
- Tail
- Goose biots, brown
- Body
- Copper wire (or red, green, chartreuse wire)
- Wing case
- Thin Skin or Flashabou, coated with UV resin
- Thorax
- Peacock herl or dubbing
- Legs
- Goose biots, brown
Tying Video
Tying Steps
Slide a tungsten or brass bead onto a 2x heavy nymph hook. Add lead wraps behind the bead.
💡 This fly is designed to be heavy — don't skimp on the weight.
Tie in two goose biots splayed for the tail.
💡 Biots should splay outward at a V angle.
Wrap copper wire (or colored wire) forward to form a segmented body to 60% of the shank.
💡 Keep wire wraps tight and touching for a smooth, even body.
Tie in a strip of Flashabou or thin skin for the wing case.
💡 Epoxy or UV resin over the wing case when complete.
Dub a thorax of peacock herl or peacock dubbing.
💡 Keep the thorax proportional — slightly wider than the body.
Tie in goose biots on each side for legs, pull wing case over thorax, and secure.
💡 Legs should angle back at 45 degrees.
Coat the wing case with a thin layer of UV resin or 5-minute epoxy. Whip finish.
💡 The glossy wing case is the Copper John's signature feature.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size Copper John should I use?
The Copper John is most commonly tied in sizes 12–18. Year-round attractor nymph. Especially effective in moderate to fast water where weight and flash help fish locate the fly.
What does a Copper John imitate?
The Copper John primarily imitates mayfly nymphs, stonefly nymphs, attractor. Fish the Copper John as the point fly in a double-nymph rig, using its weight to pull a lighter dropper into the strike zone. It excels in fast pocket
What materials do I need to tie a Copper John?
Key materials include: Hook, Bead, Thread, Tail, Body, Wing case, Thorax, Legs. Tie split goose biots for a tail, wrap a copper wire body, add a flashback wing case sealed with epo
How do you fish a Copper John?
Fish the Copper John as the point fly in a double-nymph rig, using its weight to pull a lighter dropper into the strike zone. It excels in fast pocket water, deep runs, and plunge pools. The flash from the wire body draws fish from distance.
Pattern Details
- Category
- Nymphs
- Sizes
- 12–18
- Colors
- Copper, Red, Green, Chartreuse, Black
- Weight
- Tungsten, Brass
- Hook Styles
- 2x heavy nymph, Jig hook
- Imitates
- mayfly nymphs, stonefly nymphs, attractor
- Water Types
- freestone, tailwater
- Origin
- John Barr, Colorado, early 1990s
Target Species
Pattern Details
- Category
- Nymphs
- Sizes
- 12–18
- Colors
- Copper, Red, Green, Chartreuse, Black
- Weight
- Tungsten, Brass
- Hook Styles
- 2x heavy nymph, Jig hook
- Imitates
- mayfly nymphs, stonefly nymphs, attractor
- Water Types
- freestone, tailwater
- Origin
- John Barr, Colorado, early 1990s