Bead Head Copper John Nymph Fly

The Copper John Nymph is one of the most popular Nymph Flies for fly anglers.  It is ranked at the top of Nymph patterns along with the Prince Nymph, Pheasant Tail and Hares Ear.  The Copper John is a great mayfly imitator and is a very versatile fly to use.

John Barr of Boulder Colorado is the creator of the Copper John.  John first introduced fly fishermen to the pattern in 1993.

The Copper John can be tied in a variety of colors.  Most popular colors include Copper, Black, Red, Green, Pink, Chartreuse and even blue.  The color variety is one reason why the Copper John is a very popular and versatile fly.

Tying the Copper John is very easy to do.  The fly is wrapped in the wire color you choose up and down the hook shank, a little wing at the top and finished with the bead.  The most popular colors of the Copper John are Copper, followed by Black and Red.  The most popular hook size nationwide is a 14, but the hook size popularity depends a lot on the type of fish you are targeting.

Pond and lake fishermen will find the copper john to produce very well for a variety of pan fish species.  Bream love the copper john in nearly every color.

River and stream anglers will find the copper john is very adaptable to water conditions.  You can match the color and size of the copper john to most any insect in the stream.  This is one reason why I like to carry a variety of colors and sizes of the Copper John in my fly box.  I can use the fly to imitate most any mayflys in the water. 

Related: See also set of 48 Copper Johns