Hook Size 12/14/16/18
The Prince’s Nymph Trout fly is one of the all time most popular nymph
imitations. You will find it in the fly box of just about every one that fishes for
trout. Most anglers agree that it’s green peacock herl that’s the Prince
Nymphs’s key feature. We think that what makes the fly appealing to trout.
According to our research, the Prince Nymph was first tied by Don and Dick
Olson, brothers from Bemidji, Minnesota; however, the fly was made popular
by Doug Prince of Monerey, California, which is of course, the source of the
fly’s name.
The Prince Nymph Trout Fly can be used a number of different ways. It all
depends on the way the fly is tied and its size and weight. Most anglers think
it is a good imitation of a stonefly nymph. That’s probably what most anglers
use it for if they have a specific type of aquatic insect in mind. The tail of the
Prince Nymph does have the configuration and shape of a stonefly nymph’s
tail.
Most anglers probably don’t have an insect in mind when they choose the
fly. The fly is considered an attractor fly, rather than a specific imitation of
any single insect. It can even be used to imitate small minnows as well as
aquatic insects.
The small sizes of the Prince Nymph have been used to imitate emerging
nymphs. By adding a little floatant to the fly, it can be used as an emerger.
The smaller sizes can also be used as a dropper from a larger dry fly. The
tippet can be weighted a few inches above the fly and it used to dredge the
bottom. It can also be weighted appropriately and used with a strike
indicator.
The fly is effective on all species of trout and well as other fish. Small
versions can be used for bream and other panfish. it works on brown,
rainbow, brook and cutthroat trout as well as grayling. If you go into any fly
shop in the nation, most likely one of the first flies the shop owner or
salesman will recommend is the Prince Nymph.
