The Best Anglers Never Stop Learning

The Best Anglers Never Stop Learning

Nymph

Bird’s Nest

Insect Species Icon Callibaetis, Green Drake, Brown Drake and 7 others
Difficulty Icon Easy - 3-5 Min
Water Category Icon Coldwater

Tying Video

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Tying Recipe
  • Hook: Nymph Hook, 3x Long
  • Bead: Brass or Tungsten, Sized to Hook
  • Weight: .020 Lead Free Wire
  • Thread: UTC 70 Denier, Olive
  • Tail: Wood Duck Flank Feather, Natural
  • Rib: Small Ultra Wire, Copper
  • Body: Australian Possum Dubbing, Natural
  • Legs: Wood Duck Flank Feather, Natural
  • Thorax: Australian Possum Dubbing, Natural

Although this fly seems like it has a long list of materials, it’s just a lot of the same. Luckily, both main materials can be swapped for something else if necessary. It’s not everyday you run across a fly that imitates so many things, has plenty of substitutions, and is this easy to tie.

Tail: Mallard Flank Feather in the wood duck color can be a real life saver if you can’t get your hands on the real stuff.

Legs: Again, Mallard Flank Feather in the wood duck color can be a real life saver if you can’t get your hands on the real stuff.

Body: Hare’s Ear Dubbing is a nice stand in for the Possum if need be.

Thorax: Again, Hare’s Ear Dubbing is a nice stand in for the Possum if need be.

Not many major variations exist for this particular bug. As usual, color and size are always good things to change up. As far as color changes go, wire color, bead color, and thread color (for hot spots) are going to be the most useful. Because it imitates so many kinds of bugs having a wide variety of colors and sizes can be very helpful on the river.

The Bird’s Nest has the incredible attribute of impersonating a wide variety of very prevalent trout fare. It is a great choice for new water, or a tough day on your home water. With the beaded version, you’ll get a quick sinking ultra buggy fly that is bound to find it’s way into the mouth of many trout. That, plus the fact that it has plenty of substitution options and is easy to tie make this pattern a real winner.

Brown Drake

Regional Hatch Chart Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Region: West
Brown Drake
Sizes: #10 - #14
Region: Northwest
Brown Drake
Sizes: #10 - #14
Region: East
Brown Drake
Sizes: #10 - #14
Region: Midwest
Brown Drake
Sizes: #10 - #14

Callibaetis

Regional Hatch Chart Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Region: West
Callibaetis
Sizes: #12 - #18
Region: Northwest
Callibaetis
Sizes: #12 - #18
Region: East
Callibaetis
Sizes: #12 - #18
Region: Midwest
Callibaetis
Sizes: #12 - #18

Green Drake

Regional Hatch Chart Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Region: West, Northwest, Midwest
Green Drake
Sizes: #8 - #14
Region: East
Green Drake
Sizes: #8 - #14

Hendrickson

Regional Hatch Chart Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Region: East, Midwest
Hendrickson
Sizes: #10 - #16

Isonychia

Regional Hatch Chart Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Region: East
Isonychia
Sizes: #12 - #18
Region: Southeast
Isonychia
Sizes: #12 - #18
Region: Midwest
Isonychia
Sizes: #12 - #18

Light Cahill

Regional Hatch Chart Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Region: East
Light Cahill
Sizes: #12 - #20
Region: Midwest
Light Cahill
Sizes: #12 - #20
Region: Northwest
Light Cahill
Sizes: #12 - #20

Mahogany Dun

Regional Hatch Chart Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Region: West, Northwest
Mahogany Dun
Sizes: #14 - #20
Region: East, Midwest
Mahogany Dun
Sizes: #14 - #20

March Brown

Regional Hatch Chart Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Region: West, East
March Brown
Sizes: #10 - #14
Region: Northwest
March Brown
Sizes: #10 - #14
Region: Midwest
March Brown
Sizes: #10 - #14

PMD

Regional Hatch Chart Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Region: West, Northwest, East, Southeast, Midwest
PMD
Sizes: #14 - #20

Quill Gordon

Regional Hatch Chart Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Region: East, Southeast
Quill Gordon
Sizes: #12 - #16

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