Steel back nymphs Details
THE NYMPH
I’m convinced the SBN has that X factor to rival the use of beads which revolutionised weighted nymph fishing. With SBN’s, the weight is distibuted more evenly along the hook shank. Most anglers use a bead pattern in order to get their nymph down.
The SBN provides trout with a totally different profile and, let’s face it, is there a trout on the planet that’s yet to see a bead head nymph???
A client recently showed me his nymph box and every single nymph had a bead head!
He then proceded to list the various insects each was supposed to represent. I’m not knocking beads, and I still use them under certain conditions, but the SBN provides a more natural alternative in my opinion.
You can also add weight (lead or lead free wire, copper wire, tungsten strips etc.) to the shank of a hook but to keep proportions, it means that only the larger sizes have significant sinkability or you end up with a smaller bulky nymph which will be refused by educated trout.
In my view less is best. Adding weight to the leader is good allowing the use of lighter, slimmer nymphs but this method is not popular because it is fiddly to set up.
HISTORY
The steel back nymph started from an idea I had some 13 years ago (2012) to make use of some left-over steel wire ties from a building project. The original model was very complicated to “tie” but proved irresistible to trout on it’s very first outing on the Tekapo River accounting for 8 good fish in the same pool in an hour. I was convinced I was on to something ground breaking! Since then, I have refined the design to make it more durable and more consistant to make. I hesitate to use the word “tie” since there are several steps which have more to do with engineering than tying in the classic sense of the word!
It’s my “go to” pattern especially since there are so many back/body/thorax options, and it has caught trout in every single stream and lake I, and my clients regularly fish.
The SBN represents, as far as I can deduce, everything from mayfly and caddis nymphs all the way through to snails!
One classic occasion was when I had Mike fishing to an awkwardly placed brown. I tied on a small SBN but the trout didn’t appear to be interested and I could almost hear Mike thinking “what the hell has he tied on my leader!”. After trying several classic patterns the trout remained unperturbed and uncaught!
I changed back to the original SBN and, this time, as soon as the fish saw it eureka! Hook up at last. Now ok, it may have been simply a question of a better drift but Mike was now sold on the new nymph and he and Sheralee proceded to entice other trout that day using the new pattern.
THE FEATURES
Features of the SBN are:
1. Very distinct and bold profile.
2. No loss of space behind eye of hook at tie off point.
3. Weight evenly distributed along hook shank.
4. Choice of “bling” or matte finish steel backs with several colour options.
5. Curved appearance with hook setting advantage of straight shanked hook.
6. Back attached to hook by stainless steel wire and then soldered.
The SBN in action
SBN FEATURES (cont)
COLOURS:
Steel backs are coloured and epoxied at the final stage of construction of the fly so practically any colour can be created. SBN’s are already available in most of the common colours but lots of variations are available on request.
SIZES:
SBN’s are available in sizes #18, #16 and #14 (with some exceptions) although the 14’s are better fished early season or in heavier water. The most common size is #16 but when you have fussy trout in clear slow moving water don’t hesitate to drop down to a #18.
HOOKS:
Steel back numphs are tied on Tiemco #3769 or Kamasan #B175 heavy wire barbed hookes. For those who prefer barbless, it is a simple task of crimping the barb over on these hooks.
BODY MATERIALS:
Include ribbed tying thread, dubbed and ribbed, tinsel and rib, copper wire (Copper John style).
THORAX and LEGS:
Standard dubbing material including: natural fur, CDC and synthetics. Fine rubber legs feature on most S.B.N’s.
SBN013
“Bling” can be incorporated into any part of the hook shank whereas with a bead nymph, the bead has to be behind the hook eye or in thorax. Both flies are #16 and 9mm total length (excluding tails) .
SBN014
More detail can be tied into the fly since the 2.4mm (plus tie off space) required for a GBHE is completely available to tie the SBN.
Both flies #16 and 9mm total length (excluding tails) .
SBN014 #18
A thinner body is easy to make with the SBN tying system whilst a 2mm bead on this #18 hook reduces space on the shank and reduces gape which can equate to less hookability. Even with a 2mm tungsten bead, the SBN is heavier for this size hook. Both flies #18 and 7mm total length (excluding tails) .
SBN003
In these images the bead headed nymph ends up looking like a “blob” as the added legs and dubbed thorax adds to the bulk. In comparison, the SBN has a slimmer body, dubbed thorax and micro legs and looks longer even though both nymphs are the same length, 9 mm (less tails) for a similar weight. The bead (2.4mm in this case) also makes threading your mono tippet through the eye more difficult. Both flies #16.
SBN040
The edge bright is not a thin material but the extra space available on the SBN shank allows several wraps. Tie off is visible behind the bead on the hare’s ear. Both flies #16, 9mm in length and of similar weight (excluding tails) .
SBN031
The two SBN’s have natural stainless steel backs for the bling compared to the silver bead hare’s ear. Top is a SBN 031 and on bottom a synthetic version of the standard SBN001 with rubber legs. All three nymphs #18 hooks and 7mm total length.
Best Reasons to use an SBN nymph for fishing;
- No bead = more tying space with no loss of weight.
- Thorax right to hook eye. No space lost at tie off (tie off is concealed).
- Bold side profile.
- Descends water column in a horizontal plane – not head first as with forward weighted flies.
- Hook will remain upside down – less bottom weed.
- Allows slim body construction while still retaining weight.
- Curved appearance with straight shank hookability.