Fly Tying Inventory
Blowtorch Nymph
Devin Olsen's Blowtorch is a competition-proven Euro nymph with a distinctive fluorescent fire orange hot spot tag that makes it visible and attractive in fast water. The peacock herl body and CDC collar provide natural movement, while the jig hook and tungsten bead ensure the fly gets deep quickly. Tim Flagler's Tightline Productions tutorial popularized this essential Euro nymphing pattern.
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Materials
Barbless jig hook (Fulling Mill FM5045 Jig Force), size 10-16
Copper slotted tungsten bead, 7/64 inch
.015 inch lead-free round wire
Fluorescent Fire Orange, 8/0 or 70 denier
Fluorescent Fire Orange Antron yarn or Glo-Brite Floss
Green Sulky Holoshimmer Metallic Thread
Peacock herl (or Black Peacock Ice Dub)
Hen neck feather fibers or dun CDC
How to Tie the Blowtorch Nymph
- 1
Step 1
Slide the slotted tungsten bead onto the jig hook and secure in the vise. Apply a drop of superglue to the shank.
- 2
Step 2
Wrap several turns of lead-free wire behind the bead and push it into the bead recess. Secure with superglue.
- 3
Step 3
Start the fluorescent orange thread behind the bead and wrap to the bend.
- 4
Step 4
Tie in a small tag of fluorescent orange Antron yarn or Glo-Brite Floss at the bend, extending just past the hook bend as a visible hot spot.
The bright orange tag is the key trigger of this pattern — keep it short but visible.
- 5
Step 5
Tie in the Holoshimmer metallic thread for the rib at the tag tie-in point.
- 6
Step 6
Tie in 3-4 peacock herls and wrap them forward to form a robust, buggy body up to the bead. Secure and trim.
- 7
Step 7
Counter-wrap the metallic rib forward through the body for flash and durability. Tie off and trim.
- 8
Step 8
Tie in a hen neck feather or CDC feather and make 1-2 wraps as a sparse collar behind the bead.
- 9
Step 9
Whip finish behind the bead and apply Sally Hansen Hard-As-Nails or head cement for durability.
Watch Tying Tutorial
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rq_SQO-7eEw
Credit: Devin Olsen / Tim Flagler - Tightline Productions