A River Never Sleeps

Story by Robin Pike, Pattern tied by Ian Ricketson, with Photography by Nick Didlick

This edition of Fly Box focuses on tying a commercially available Gomphus dragon fly nymph pattern that can likely be found at any fly shop. The shape of the Gomphus is important to remember when creating any imitation. Upon examining a Gomphus nymph you will notice its spider like appearance. Its head is as wide as its thorax and its abdomen is strongly curved on the top and flat on the bottom. The entire body of the Gomphus is covered with tiny hairs that trap lake bottom material, lending to this creature's camouflage.

The commercially available pattern presented below is one of my favorite Gomphus imitations. Its ability to float is critically important in the method I prefer to fish the fly (described below). Colours I like to have in my fly box depend upon the colour of the lake bottom I plan to fish. Generally, I like to tie it in olive and natural brown (deer hair) and I often use yellow permanent markers to create a mottling effect. I also prefer to use olive dyed pheasant rump for legs as opposed to the natural colour often used in the commercial pattern. This fly is an easy tie, but shaping the body can take some practice. Scissors can be used to get the body to the desired shape. However, I recommend using a thin razor blade (not the utility /safety razors!!) to trim the body to its final shape.

MATERIALS REQUIRED:
HOOK: Tiemco Streamer or Mustad 9672 Sizes 6 - 10.
THREAD: Olive Brown or to match body colour.
BODY: Olive Deer Hair
LEGS: Olive Dyed Pheasant Rump
HEAD: Olive Deer Hair

	Step 1: Attach the tying thread close to the end of the hook using minimal wraps (deer hair spins best on a bare hook).
	Step 2: Select a clump of deer hair the size of a pencil and remove the under fur with a fine comb. Place the hair on top of the hook and make one complete wrap loosely around the deer hair. Make another wrap, this time tight to the hook and spin the deer hair. Take 2-3 wraps of thread to tightly secure the hair and then pack the hair together using a hair packer or your fingers. Also, the clear plastic shell of a standard Bic pen makes a useful hair packer.
	Step 3: Complete this process 4-5 times for the abdomen or until the hair is covering approximately 2/3 of the hook shank.
	Step 4: Secure the tying thread with 2 half hitches and then trim the deer hair to the shape. First trim the bottom of the abdomen flat and then trim the hairs on the top of the abdomen leaving room to shape it. Be careful not to cut your tying thread.
	Step 5: Next, rough the body shape with a pair of scissors or with a razor. Create a curved top and diamond shaped sides. This will take practice so don't be discouraged if your first attempts do not look satisfactory.
	Step 6: Reattach the tying thread and attach olive dyed pheasant rump legs as shown.
	Step 7: Spin the final clumps of deer hair for the head. You may require up to 3 clumps. Then whip finish and apply head cement.
	Step 8: Finally, trim the head flat on the bottom and top. Next, make the sides of the head taper into the thorax as shown. Be very careful not to cut the legs off.

This Gomphus imitation is best fished with a full sink line using a slow to very slow retrieve. Because this fly floats, I generally cast my line and let it sink fully into the lake bottom before I begin my retrieve. I occasionally throw in some quick strips (2-4 per cast) to add some variation. However, most often I find that fish pick the fly up off the bottom during the slow retrieve.