How to Tie a Sulphur Perdigon-Style Nymph (Step-by-Step Fly Tying Guide)

Fly Tying

Jun 12

The Sulphur Perdigon-Style Nymph is a fast-sinking, highly effective Euro nymph designed to imitate the sulphur mayfly nymph—perfect for pre-hatch fishing in northeastern streams.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Insert Bead on Hook
Place a 7/64" gold slotted tungsten bead onto a size 14 Lightning Strike JF2 barbless jig hook. Insert the hook through the small hole of the bead and slide it around the bend and onto the shank.

Step 2: Add Lead-Free Wire
Wrap 0.02 lead-free wire five to six times around the hook shank to stabilize the bead and form a body taper. Leave a small gap between the wire and the bead, then break the wire with a helicopter motion.

Step 3: Secure Wire with Super Glue
Apply a drop of super glue behind the bead. Push the wire wraps forward to lock them in place and prevent spinning.

Step 4: Start Thread Base
Attach yellow UTC 70 denier thread behind the wire wraps and wrap rearward, then forward over the wire to lock it in. Position the thread at the hook point.

Step 5: Add Tail
Select 8–10 fibers from a wood duck flank feather. Align and trim the tips, then measure a tail equal to the hook shank length. Tie it in at the start of the bend.

Step 6: Tie In Gold Wire Ribbing
Secure a 6-inch piece of small gold Ultra Wire to the hook shank, tying it in from the base of the tail to behind the bead.

Step 7: Add Antron Yarn Body
Take a 6-inch piece of golden-brown Antron yarn and split it in half. Use one half, trim the end square, and tie it in from bead to tail base. Wrap yellow thread to form a tapered underbody.

Step 8: Wrap Antron Yarn
Wrap the Antron yarn up the hook in slightly open spirals to create a lifelike shimmer. Secure the yarn behind the bead and trim the excess.

Step 9: Rib the Fly with Gold Wire
Wrap the gold wire in open spirals up the body to segment it. Secure at the bead and break off the excess with a helicopter motion.

Step 10: Build a Hot Spot Collar
Build a short yellow collar just behind the bead with your tying thread. Whip finish and trim the thread.

Step 11: Apply Black UV Resin Wing Case
Apply black UV resin over the collar and top of the bead to form a wing case. Cure with a UV light.

Step 12: Finish with Bone Dry UV Resin
Apply a thin coat of Solarez Bone Dry UV resin over the entire body and wing case. This smooths the fly and reduces drag. Cure thoroughly for a glossy, tack-free finish.

Fly Tying