Copper John
4.2 / 5
(0 Reviews)
Description
The Copper John is an iconic and highly effective nymph pattern, created by legendary fly tyer John Barr in the late 1980s. It is renowned for its versatility and the ability to consistently imitate various aquatic insects and their nymph stage. This pattern features a distinctive copper-wrapped body and a few variations in color and bead heads
Pro Tip
After forming the wire abdomen, burnish the wire lightly with the flat side of your scissors before moving on. This compresses the wraps, removes micro-gaps, and produces a smoother, brighter, almost lacquered look—making the fly sink faster and flash more sharply underwater.
Reviews
4.2
5 Ratings
0 Reviews
Fly Tying Recipe
- Hook: 2X-heavy, 2X-long nymph or streamer hook, sizes 10–20
- Bead: Cyclops bead, gold, sized to match hook
- Weight: lead wire, .015
- Thread: 8/0 or 70 denier, black
- Tails: goose biots, brown
- Abdomen: Ultra Wire, brassie-size, copper
- Wingcase (Top): Flashabou, saltwater-size, pearl
- Wingcase (Bottom): strip of black Thin Skin, slightly narrower than hook gap
- Thorax: peacock herl
- Legs: hen hackle, speckled brown
Fly Tying Video
From: Tightline Video