Overview

The Draggin' Nymph comes from Umpqua signature tyer Josh Smitherman, who designed it for Rio Grande cichlids and carp in the slow creeks and rivers of Texas. It was inspired by dragonfly nymphs he saw at a Texas Parks and Wildlife creek entomology presentation.

Smitherman wanted a dragonfly nymph that was thicker and more mobile than most. The key is a scorched Senyo's Laser Dub abdomen, which hardens and fuses the fibers into a durable, buggy body. It is tied on a barbless jig hook so it can be dragged along the bottom without hanging up, and it has also caught trout, bass and many kinds of sunfish.

Euro Specs

• Hook: Barbless jig hook, rides point up.
• Role: Point fly on a slow drag along the bottom; can be fished on a tight line or as a single fly to sighted fish.

How to Fish It

• Drag it: as the name says, crawl it slowly along the bottom in slow pools and backwaters.
• Sight fishing: drop it in front of carp or cichlids and move it in tiny hops.
• Stillwater: on lakes, strip it slowly near weed edges where dragonfly nymphs live.
• Tight-line: the jig hook rides point up, so it also works on a Euro rig in slower runs.

Choosing Color and Size

Olive matches weedy water and most dragonfly nymphs. Tan blends with sand and silt bottoms and suits clear water.

Size 10 is a good middle size for carp, cichlids, bass and trout.