Hex Nymph
The Hexagenia nymph burrows in soft silt and muck, and large trout hunt them actively even when no surface hatch is happening. A well-placed Hex Nymph swung or dead-drifted through deep pools before dark can bring up the largest fish in a river. The cream or yellow body with prominent tails mimics the natural's distinctive appearance.
- Type
- nymph (Mayfly)
- Hook sizes
- #6–8
- Target species
- trout
- Difficulty
- intermediate
- Best seasons
- spring, summer
Materials
- hook: 2X or 3X long nymph hook #6–8
- thread: Cream or yellow 6/0
- tail: Two goose biots, spread wide
- body: Pale yellow or cream dubbing
- ribbing: Brown thread or fine wire
- wingcase: Turkey tail segment
Tying steps
- Mount a size 6–8 3XL nymph hook; wrap lead wire along the shank for weight, then start cream thread.
- Tie in two wide goose biots splayed outward as the forked tail.
- Dub a thick, cream or pale yellow abdomen from bend to the 2/3 point, tapering thicker toward the thorax.
- Wind brown thread ribbing over the abdomen in 6 open spirals.
- Tie in a strip of turkey tail for the wing case over the 2/3 point.
- Dub a fuller tan or amber thorax just ahead of the abdomen.
- Pull the wing case over the thorax and tie down firmly.
- Sweep partridge or hen back fibers back on each side as legs; whip finish and lacquer.