One of the Most Effective Nymphs in the Box
The Guide's Choice Nymph is a staple pattern for trout anglers across the country. Developed by Hans Weilenmann, this versatile fly imitates a wide range of aquatic insects and has earned its place in every serious angler's fly box. Whether you're fishing tailwaters, freestone streams, or high-country lakes, this pattern consistently produces.
In this tutorial, we'll walk you through tying the Guide's Choice Nymph step by step — from materials to the finished fly.
Materials You'll Need
- Hook: Curved nymph hook, size 12–18 (e.g., Hanak 400 BL or Tiemco 2488)
- Bead: Tungsten bead, sized to match hook (gold or copper)
- Thread: 8/0 or 70-denier, tan or brown
- Tail: Coq de Leon fibers or pheasant tail fibers
- Abdomen: Pheasant tail fibers, wrapped
- Rib: Fine copper wire (counter-wrapped)
- Thorax: Hare's ear dubbing or squirrel dubbing
- Wingcase: Pheasant tail fibers
- Legs: Partridge fibers or CDC
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Set the Bead and Start the Thread
Slide a tungsten bead onto the hook with the small hole facing the hook point. Secure the hook in your vise and start your thread just behind the bead, laying a smooth thread base down to the bend of the hook.
Step 2: Tie in the Tail
Select 6–8 Coq de Leon or pheasant tail fibers and tie them in at the bend of the hook. The tail should be roughly one hook-gap in length. Trim any excess.
Step 3: Tie in the Rib
Tie in a length of fine copper wire at the bend, securing it along the hook shank as you advance the thread forward. This will be counter-wrapped later to protect the abdomen.
Step 4: Build the Abdomen
Select 4–6 pheasant tail fibers and tie them in by the tips at the bend. Wrap them forward in touching turns to about 60% of the hook shank, creating a segmented, tapered abdomen. Tie off and trim the excess.
Step 5: Counter-Wrap the Rib
Wrap the copper wire forward in the opposite direction of the pheasant tail, creating evenly spaced segments. This reinforces the abdomen and adds a subtle flash. Tie off and helicopter the wire to break it cleanly.
Step 6: Tie in the Wingcase
Select 6–8 pheasant tail fibers and tie them in by the tips at the front of the abdomen, pointing forward over the eye. These will be folded back later to form the wingcase.
Step 7: Dub the Thorax
Apply a small amount of hare's ear or squirrel dubbing to your thread and build a slightly shaggy thorax up to just behind the bead. Leave a small gap between the thorax and the bead for the legs and wingcase.
Step 8: Pull Over the Wingcase
Fold the pheasant tail fibers back over the top of the thorax and tie them down just behind the bead. Trim the excess. The wingcase should be smooth and cover the top of the thorax neatly.
Step 9: Add the Legs
Tie in a small clump of partridge fibers or CDC on each side of the thorax to suggest legs. Keep them sparse — a little goes a long way.
Step 10: Finish the Fly
Build a small thread head behind the bead, whip finish, and apply a drop of UV resin or head cement to the wingcase and thread head for durability. Your Guide's Choice Nymph is ready to fish!
Tips for Fishing the Guide's Choice Nymph
- Dead drift it deep: Use a tight-line or indicator nymphing rig and get the fly down to the bottom where trout are feeding.
- Size down in clear water: In pressured or clear tailwaters, drop to a size 16 or 18 for more strikes.
- Match the bead to conditions: Gold beads work great in off-color water; natural or copper beads shine in clear conditions.
- Try a dropper: Fish the Guide's Choice as a point fly with a smaller midge or RS2 as a dropper for a deadly two-fly rig.
Shop Guide's Choice Nymphs and Materials
Don't have time to tie your own? Browse our selection of ready-to-fish nymphs including the Guide's Choice in multiple sizes and bead colors. We also carry all the fly tying materials you need to tie your own.
Tight lines — and happy tying!