In a recent poll of fly-fishing professionals asking them to identify their favorite searching nymphs, the Prince Nymph was one of the most popular choices. Although some argue that this style of nymph originated with Don and Dick Olson of Bemidji, minnesota, it is named for Doug Prince, a California tier of the 1940s. This pattern works great as a caddisfly nymph, a small stonefly, and as a general searching pattern. You can also strip it back at the end of a drift like a wet fly or streamer. You should head for any trout stream without a few Princes in your fly box.
Beadhead Prince Nymph
Hook: Mustad 9671, or similar, sizes 4 through 18.
Bead: Gold.
Weight: Lead wire.
Thread: Brown, 6/0 or 8/0.
Tails: Brown goose biots.
Rib: Fine gold wire.
Body: Peacock herl.
Hackle: Coachman brown.
Wings: White goose biots.
Glue: Head cement.