Fly Tying Made Easy: IPN Nymph with Black & Gold Sparkle

With: Lindsay Simpson Fly Fishing

Today we’re diving into one of my favorite nymph patterns: the IPN – Idiot Proof Nymph. True to its name, this little gem is simple to tie, but deadly effective on trout. The black-and-gold version we’re crafting today has a subtle shimmer and lifelike movement that trout just can’t resist. Whether you’re stalking a spring creek or swinging a deep pool, this nymph is your secret weapon for getting bites when the fish are feeling finicky. Let’s grab our vice and get rolling!

Step-by-Step Fly Tying Instructions

1. Hook & Bead Setup

   • Mount a Hanak H950 barbless hook, size 8, black nickel finish, in the vice.

   • Slide a 4.7mm black brass bead onto the hook.

2. Adding Weight

   • Wrap 0.9mm lead-free wire around the hook shank for added front weight (about 4 wraps). Trim excess wire.

   • Push the wire snug to the bead using your fingers or forceps.

   • Apply a small drop of super glue over the wire to secure it.

3. Thread Base

   • Use Simplify 80 waxed thread (black).

   • Wrap loose turns over the wire, leaving a small gap behind the bead. This creates an “onramp” for the body material.

4. Adding Sparkle

   • Add a few strands of gold pearl fleck for subtle sparkle.

   • Trap the strands on either side with thread wraps.

5. Marabou Tail

   • Tie in a healthy pinch of black Marabou at the back end of the hook.

   • Trim excess and secure with thread wraps.

   • Sweep the tail fibers back as you wrap to prevent tangling.

6. Body Construction

   • Use FNF Humungous Body Chenille – black & gold.

   • Start at the gap behind the wire and bead, and wrap forward to the bead, sweeping each turn back with your finger to maintain taper and smoothness.

   • Trap the chenille at the front with a few thread wraps.

7. Finishing the Fly

   • Apply a touch of varnish to the thread.

   • Use a whip finisher to secure the head.

   • Optional: Add a hot orange collar with GlowBrite #5 or #6 for extra attraction.

8. Fishing Notes

   • Fish this fly on a long leader (10–12 ft), using a floater or intermediate line.

   • Retrieve options: figure-of-eight, slow swing, or fast roly-poly.

   • Effective when trout are less active; mimics leech-like prey with subtle sparkle.

Materials Recipe – Black & Gold IPN Nymph

• Hook: Hanak H950 barbless, size 8, heavy wire, black nickel

• Bead: 4.7mm black brass (Troutline)

• Thread: Simplify 80 waxed, black

• Weight: 0.9mm lead-free wire

• Tail: Black Marabou

• Sparkle: Gold pearl fleck strands

• Body: FNF Humungous Body Chenille, black & gold

• Optional Collar: GlowBrite #5 or #6, hot orange

• Tools: Scissors, whip finisher, forceps, super glue/varnish