Tying the Twenty Incher Nymph Fly Pattern (Charlie Craven style)
One of the most successful stonefly nymph patterns created, the Twenty-Incher is a good one to have in any trout fly fisherman’s box. The pattern came to fame in Colorado’s Roaring Fork Valley. This was tied from Charlie Craven’s “Tying Nymphs” book. It can be tied heavily weighted (as this one was) or less weighted for varying waters or different situations.
Hook: #6-14 curved nymph
Thread: Black
Bead: Tungsten, 2.4 mm or to match hook
Weight: 12-15 wraps, size to match hook
Tail: Goose biots, brown
Rib: Tan floss
Underbody: any dubbing to build taper
Body: Peacock herl
Thorax: Hare’s mask dubbing
Legs: Partridge fibers
Wingcase: Mottled turkey feather
Savage Flies is a project (named after one of my homewaters, the Savage River in Western Maryland, US). I’ve been trout fishing for many years but have only been tying for the last couple and am learning more every week. If you have any pointers on techniques that would help, I would love to hear them in the comments.