RP

nymph

Rowley's PW Nymph

A Polish-woven free-living caddis larva with two-color embroidery floss bodies (Rusty Brown top / Yellow bottom), natural SLF Squirrel collar, and yellow thread hot spot.

Sizes#10 · #12

Originated by Gilbert Rowley

Recipe

  • HookDai-Riki 135 — size 10 · Dai-Riki
  • BeadTungsten — Bronze or Gold
  • ThreadUni Thread 6/0 — Camel · UNI Products
  • Rib4X tippet
  • BodyEmbroidery Floss — Rusty Brown 300 (top), Yellow 445 (bottom)
  • CollarSLF Squirrel Dubbing — Natural
  • HotspotUTC 70 Denier — Yellow

History

Rowley's PW Nymph is his take on a Polish Woven nymph — a pattern he didn't invent, but found his favorite color combination of after years of experimentation. By weaving two colors of embroidery floss together, the finished fly has a dark back and a light underbelly, which serves as both a free-living caddis larva imitation and a heavy anchor fly in larger sizes. The weaving technique looks intimidating, but after your first half-dozen it gets easy — and fun.

Fishing tips

Size 10: 4 strands of floss. Size 12: 3 strands. The weave is the magic; don't cheat it.