Preston Jennings was one of the giants of American fly tying in the mid Twentieth Century, and his A Book of Trout (193) was one of the first comprehensive guides to the insects of the Eastern U.S. and the patterns that would emulate them. In this great video from Tim Flagler of Tightline Productions, you will learn to tie one Jennings’s enduring patterns, the Isonychia Nymph.
As usual, Tim puts his own twist on the classic recipe, creating a nymph that’s easy to tie and works great. The way he ties in the ribbing so that it doesn’t interfere with the tail should become your standard method. Also note how Tim uses the hanging thread to keep the peacock herl wraps compressed as he comes forward.
Isonychia Nymph
Hook: 2X-long nymph hook (here a Fulling Mill FM50 85), size 12.
Thread: Black, 8/0 or 70-denier.
Tail: 6-8 chocolate brown pheasant-tail fibers.
Rib: Gold Ultra Wire, brassie size.
Abdomen: Isonychia-color Fine & Dry dubbing.
Thorax: Peacock herl.
Hackle: Barred-ginger variant.
Head: Tying thread.
Adhesive: Head cement.
Tools: Hackle pliers, whip-finish tool.