High Water Nymph Tricks

Most of the time when you think of nymph fishing in high water you think of using large dark nymphs like black stoneflies or prince nymphs in size 12, 10 or even 8. While these are tried and true flies for high water, sometimes they just aren't what the fish are looking for.

Lots of tailwaters and other streams simply don't have many large invertebrate food sources so fish won't be likely to key on them even when the water is high and dirty.

In these situations or when the big stuff just isn't working it is good to go to smaller flashy nymphs like the Batman Nymph, Rainbow Warriors, Lightning Bugs, Copper Johns, or a Hot Wire Prince Nymphs in size 18 to 14.

Keep these drifting deep in slower pockets near the bank where fish will go to escape the current. High water fish are often hungry and strong so be ready for hard takes and tough battles in the heavy currents.