Nymph
Copper John
Tungsten nymph searcher
Trout · GraylingSubsurface
Slim nymph with copper bead head and fine body — a searching nymph that works on any river with a hatch happening. Copper beads have become standard for a reason.
Fish this when
Spring and autumn when small mayfly nymphs are hatching. Fish it upstream in broken water on a tight line or with a small indicator.
Why it works
Slim profile suggests small nymphs. Copper bead adds visibility and gets the fly to the right depth fast. Simple, proven pattern.
Naturals it imitates
mayfly (Baetis) nymph; general subsurface nymph
Typical zone & fishable range
usually
Surface
Film
Subsurface
Deep
Setup sensitivity: medium
Quick facts
Tying difficulty
Intermediate
Heritage
ModernClassicHeritage
Modern
· USA (Colorado), 1990s — John Barr
Buy or tie?
Barr's Copper John Fly Tying Instructions Tied by Charlie Craven
Charlie's Fly Box · canonical
Fulling Mill
Broad, stable commercial source for classic dries, wets, nymphs, lures and salmon flies.
Fish Fishing Flies
Large UK fly catalogue useful for broad pattern coverage and traditional alternatives.
Big Y Fly Co
Regional specialist (USA (Oregon))
Included in packs
River nymph starter