The Copper John

     The copper john is one of the most widely known nymphs in the world. This is also one of the easiest flies to tie. What you need for this fly is a size 12-18 hook, copper wire, peacock Herl, brass bead head, peacock hackle, and UTC 140 thread. You will also need a vice and fly-tying tools, wapsi has a great starter kit with everything you need to start. 

To start with slide on your brass head weight to right behind the hook eye. Once the head is on take your thread and wrap a thread base from the bend of the hook to the head weight. Then tie in your peacock hackle, peacock herl, and copper wire all in at the bend of the hook. First, wrap your peacock hackle to the bead head followed by the peacock herl, and then followed by the brass wire. Once this has all been wrapped up tie it all down pretty tightly. Then take some more peacock herl and tie it in behind the bead head. After that's tied in wrap it about 3-4 times to get a nice-looking green hit marker. The best way to fish the nymph is in deep holes with medium-moving water and let it sink down just above the bottom.