The Wiggle Nymph – My Go-To Before the Hendo Hatch Pops

We all love dry fly action — watching trout sip Hendricksons off the surface is the dream.
But if you’re only fishing dries, you’re missing out on half the hatch.

Before the bugs hit the surface, the real party’s underwater — and that’s where the Wiggle Nymph earns its keep.

This fly has just the right silhouette and subtle motion to mimic emerging Hendrickson nymphs — especially right before they rise to the top.
That “wiggle” gives it lifelike movement that static patterns can’t match.
And let’s be honest… the name says it all. It wiggles. And trout eat it.

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🧠 A Quick Bit of Entomology:

The Hendrickson, or Ephemerella subvaria, is a classic early-season mayfly. It hatches in the spring when the water temps creep up around 50°F, and it brings out some of the best dry fly fishing of the year.

But before the duns start popping, the nymphs become active, moving toward the surface and drifting with the current.

That’s the moment you want to be nymphing.
Not deep, not bottom-bounced — just in the zone where those naturals are coming alive.

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🎣 Why I Fish This Wiggle Nymph:

• The colors I tie it in (muted olive, dusty brown, with a little shimmer) match up beautifully with Hendrickson nymphs

• The soft, wiggly tail and body give it life — even in slow water

• It’s a great fly to fish an hour or two before the hatch or during lulls when fish aren’t keyed on top

This one stays in my box all spring — and it’s done damage when others were waiting for risers.

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🔗 Watch the Video:

Wiggle Nymph – Deadly Before the Hatch (YouTube)

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