Swing Nymph

All last summer, this fly proved deadly for the Sacramento River rainbows. It's a soft hackle, but weighted with a 2.3mm tungsten bead it has subtle flash, the magic of peacock, and the motion of partridge. What the fly imitates — drowned spinner, ascending nymph, cripple — becomes a moot point. The trout will tell you, and tell you often. This heavier soft hackle can still be fished, just beneath the surface, on a swing (thus the name, Swing Nymph). It can be drifted below an indicator when high sticking. It can be fished in dry/dropper combos and multi–fly rigs. It's deadly when cast and swung right into rising trout. Trout simply crush this fly.