PMD Nymph
In the weeks before PMD adults begin hatching, trout gorge on the nymphs as they drift in the current and migrate to shallower water. A sparse, pale olive-yellow nymph fished close to the bottom on a two-fly nymph rig is deadly on Western tailwaters from May through July. Match the slim profile of the natural exactly.
- Type
- nymph (Mayfly)
- Hook sizes
- #16–18
- Target species
- trout
- Difficulty
- intermediate
- Best seasons
- spring, summer
Materials
- hook: Nymph hook #16–18
- thread: Yellow or pale olive 8/0
- tail: Pale olive hackle fibers (3 strands)
- body: Pale olive or pale yellow dubbing, slim
- ribbing: Gold wire
- wingcase: Dark turkey tail or pheasant tail
Tying steps
- Mount a size 16–18 nymph hook; start yellow thread and tie in 3 pale olive hackle fibers as a short tail.
- Tie in fine gold wire for ribbing.
- Dub a pale olive-yellow body, slim and tapered, from bend to the 2/3 mark.
- Counter-wrap the gold wire in 5 spirals over the body; tie off and trim.
- Tie in a small strip of dark turkey tail or pheasant tail for the wing case.
- Dub a pale olive thorax ahead of the body.
- Pull the wing case over and secure with tight wraps; sweep a few hen fibers back as legs.
- Build a small head and whip finish; optionally glue a 2mm gold bead for a bead-head version.