Czech Nymphing – Fly Fishing Flies Selection

Czech Nymph Fly Selection

There is one essential thing that the fly fisherman will need when czech nymphing, that is heavy flies! Usually using a team of 3 flies on droppers with the point fly being the heaviest fly.

Cased Caddis – The Prey

Caddis Flies are widespread across Europe wherever water is available, either static or running. However, the adult is a strong flyer and can move some distance from ponds, streams and rivers, especially as it is attracted to light.  However it is the larvae form that is a key part of the diet for fish such as trout. The larvae which make a “case” in which to live using small stones, sand, pieces of leaves and all glued together with a silk lining inside. The silk is spun with a secretion from labial glands (around the mouth) like moth larvae. When full-grown the larva pupates in the case which stops being mobile and may be glued down to a rock.

The cased forms feed on vegetation whilst the caseless forms tend to be either carnivorous or detritivores. The predatory ones are those free living. The web-spinning, caseless larvae may create a silk tube in which to live whilst those in moving water spin the web between stones. This web may trap small invertebrates drifting with the current. This invertebrate drift, as it is known, is an abundant source of food as the current constantly dislodges animals living on the bottom of streams and rivers. Many of these caseless caddis larvae are associated with particular speeds of flow. However, much of what they catch will just be drifting detritus and other organic particulate matter on which the larva will feed (hence detritivore). Some particulate matter will be drifting plankton. Those larvae in especially fast flowing water, e.g. Hydropsyche, will have toughened upper parts to the thoracic segments (thickened external skeleton is refered to as being sclerotised). The larvae have their abdomens safely in the silk tube but the front section of the body protruding into the current. This sclerotisation may be an adaptation to protect them from small stones and other material hitting them.

It is this caddis that is one of our primary fishing imitations when czech nymphing. Below are different imitations that can be used in descending weight order, with the heavyweights of the czech nymphing world described first.

Czech Bottle Fly – Super Heavyweight Flies

Czech bottle nymphs are the “bruisers” of the fly fishing world. Designed to hold botom in the fastest of waters a czech bottle nymph is a uniquely designed fishing fly.  The Bottle Fly is a complete fly, designed in the shape of a bottle and is available in 2.2gm, 3.4gm, 4.4gm and even 5.5gm weights. The fly is manufactured from pre-made moulds which are tied very simply, the bottle is rolled in glue and sand is rolled onto the fly, a hackle is then simply tied to the front. The finished fly is identical to a caddis in its nest described above. The beauty of this fly being that it will hold bottom or take a team of flies to the bottom of the fastest of rivers. We use this for sea trout frequently as it can be used to hold a snake fly low in the fastest of waters!

Traditional Czech Nymphs – Heavy Flies

These are the more “traditional” czech nymphs used around the world. These are still a heavy fly, often tungsten weighted to keep the fly low in the water.  Czech nymphs are available in a range of colours, from pea green to cream and red, from hares ear and amber to sparkle and orange. They key with these colours is actually that the czech nymphing technique is forcing the trout to make a rapid decision, fast water with stimulating colours is often deadly.

A technique I frequently use is to use a heavy fly, often a bottle fly on the point with a natural colours czech nymph on one dropper and a nymphs with colours on the second dropper. Using this technique you can see what the trout are eating before focussing on specific colours.

Goldhead / Beadhead Flies

These are the “lightweight flies” used in czech nymphing. The Goldhead or Beadhead fly has a small bead which gives it weight, ideal in slower rivers when czech nymphing and frequently used as an alternative dropper.

Standard Nymphs

Do not forget to truly work a team of droppers, there is nothing to stop the fly fisherman using a standard caddis, nymph, stonefly or other fly on a dropper when czech nymhing, the key is that it needs to be kept low and close to the river bottom.

About the Author

Andy is CEO of The Essential Fly, a quality manufacturer or fly fishing flies including trout flies, salmon flies and specialist flies like pike, grayling and carp flies plus all the neccessary fly fishing tackle and gear and fly tying materials.

Andy is a passionate fisherman and always looking at new materials and flies and their effects on the quarry fish.

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