In this video, Greg ties a Jigged Prince Variant nymph. Effective anywhere trout may live. “I’d use this fly as an attractor or for prospecting when all else fails.”
He recommends tying it in sizes 12-16 with a 60° bend jig hook and a slotted tungsten bead tied in different colors combinations for different fisheries and to create contrast with the fly as it drifts through the water column getting the attention of the trout. He also ties it in reverse style or upside-down (goose biots) because of the nature of the jig hook.
Use of a Gamakatsu J20 jigged hook or something similar with a 60° hook-eye bend with a slotted-tungsten bead is key to these flies “nymphing” effectively. The hook faces upwards during your drift lessening your chances of snagging on the bottom and you want to fish these types of flies deep and often times near the bottom. Tungsten beads give you the weight necessary to get the fly in the zone as quickly as possible and the weight to feel it on your rod for ultimate sensitivity.
Greg uses this fly on his European-nymphing setup as a terminal fly or a dropper, but you could also use it under an indicator or under a dry fly for a dry-dropper setup.
Jigged Prince Variant
Hook – Gamakatsu J20 # 10-16
Thread – Veevus 6/0 olive, brown or similar
Hackle – UV Select CDC Olive
Tail – Olive Goose Biot
Body – Veevus Holo Tinsel Red/brown
Rib – Brassie copper brown ultra wire (optional)
UV Cure – Deer Creek Diamond Fine Flex
Wing case – White Goose Biot
Thorax/head – Black Ice Dub
Bead – Copper slotted tungsten 1/8 or 5/32
