Thread: Fly advice for a beginner

Rather than guess I always look under the rocks in the shallow permanent water and find out what is there and what size it is. Generally it will be small and dark size 16 or 18. Two nymph rigs are the way to go. A weighted nymph with an unweighted tied 30 cm behind the first. To keep it simple tie the second hook eye to the hook bend on the first nymph with 30 cm of tippet between. Try a wire weighted Pheasant tail with a Hair and Copper trailing if you cant find anything under the rocks. I like natural wool as a indicator with some fly dressing on it. Just loop the leader and poke the wool through - easy to move if it is too far from or too close to the nymphs. Wool never spooks fish. At this time of year I wouldn't use a shiny bead head, the fish will have seen it all before and a big shiny bead head might have them scorching off spooked. Better to play it safe with small patterns and black lead or tungsten beads or a few turns of fine lead wire. Wire I find better than tungsten beads that can tinkle on the stones and spook fish. If they don't take your nymphs at least you still have the option of trying a black knat etc