The Halfback Nymph

Art Lindren, in his book, “Fly Patterns of British Columbia," credits John Dexheimer as the originator of this fly. It was probably developed in the late 40’s or early 50’s in B.C. and later popularized in Montana. It is similar to a Bird’s Stonefly Nymph. It’s a versatile fly that is considered by some to imitate dragonflies, damselflies, and certain mayflies. It is very effective when dead drifted during Salmonfly hatches as well as in lakes when large nymphs are emerging. A close relative of this pattern is the Fullback which is the same except for its two tied down wingcases.

Materials:

Hook: Mustad 9672 sizes 6-12

Thread: 3/0 black

Tail: Brown hackle fibers

Body: Peacock herl

Wilngcase: Dark deer hair

Hackle: Brown

Step 1. Tie in the tail and attach two peacock herls and spiral them up 1/2 of the body and tie off.

Step 2. Then attach the deer hair wing and tie in two peacock herls.

Step 3. Spiral the herls forward and tie off 1/8 inch from the hook eye. Then tie in a brown hackle.

Step 4. Spiral the hackle forward 2 to 3 times and tie off. Slightly pull the hackles back and tie off. Bring the deer directly over the top to form the wingcase.Tie off the head and cement.