The Tangled Tackle

The Copper John

The Copper John has captivated fly fishers and fly tyers worldwide as a modern nymph pattern exemplifying inventive design and the appeal of fishing. Its popularity, which soared in the 90s, remains strong today due to its ability to sink rapidly, weather turbulent waters, and mimic both Mayfly and Stonefly nymph stages.

Ideal for hooking Trout and Grayling, the Copper John is an enticingly versatile nymph. Its dense profile, thanks to its tungsten beads, wire, and occasional lead, allows it to plummet quickly into the depths where these elusive fish reside. The Copper John's diving ability also designates it an excellent choice for fishing in cloudy or discolored waters, where reaching the lurking fish is crucial.

The Copper John

The Copper John's beauty lies in the copper—or other colors such as green, pink, or blue depending on the preferred variation—wire that coils around its body. This practical aesthetic adds weight to the fly and effectively imitates the segmented bodies of many nymphs. The use of turkey biots for the tail replicates the split tail of a Mayfly nymph, adding to the fly's overall authentic facsimile.

The Copper John's distinctive exoskeleton sets it apart from other fly box patterns. Tied using the Thin Skin material for the wing case and coupled with epoxy resin, it creates a glossy, realistic shell akin to that of a real nymph. Although it doesn't strongly imitate a specific aquatic insect, its broad resemblance to many, along with its exceptional performance, bolsters the Copper John's popularity among fly fishers.

When to Fish the Copper John

The Copper John is a reliable year-round fly that can be used in nearly all seasons, making it a vital component of any fly angler's collection. The key to harnessing its full potential lies in comprehending fish behavior and nature's rhythms.

Generally, the Copper John proves particularly effective during periods of heightened nymph activity. These periods often occur in early spring and late fall when rising or falling water temperatures stimulate nymph activity. The Copper John can be harnessed to simulate these restless nymphs during these periods, making it virtually irresistible to Trout and Grayling.

Its unique property of sinking rapidly also makes the Copper John an excellent choice for summer fishing. During hotter months, trout tend to seek cooler depths, which the Copper John can efficiently reach. These warmer months are ideal for fishing larger versions of the fly, imitating the abundant food sources available during this season.

In periods of discolored or cloudy water due to rain or snowmelt, the Copper John also proves effective. The glint and allure of its copper wire body stand out against the muddy backdrop, tempting fish that might be more careful due to the poor visibility.

While the Copper John is a versatile pattern that can be fished at any time, it performs exceptionally well under these specific conditions, further cementing its reputation as a reliable fly in various circumstances.

How to Fish the Copper John

Knowing not only when, but also how to fish the Copper John can significantly boost your success rate. Its design allows for considerable versatility in fishing methods, making it a malleable tool in the hands of any proficient fly fisher.

Among the favored strategies for fishing a Copper John is utilizing it as part of a hopper-dropper setup. In this pairing, the Copper John serves as the dropper fly due to its weight, sinking swiftly to reach deeper water segments where fish might be feeding. This setup enables the angler to cover two water columns simultaneously, improving the chances of a bite.

The Copper John can also be fished on its own, either dead drifted under an indicator or on a traditional Euro nymphing setup. Its fast sinking properties allow it to quickly reach lower water columns, making it an ideal choice to tempt opportunistic Trout and Grayling lurking below. The depth of the Copper John can be adjusted by changing the distance between the indicator and the fly or modifying the amount of weight or fly size.

A popular method involves fishing the Copper John in tandem with another nymph. This can be particularly helpful during mixed hatches or when the fish's specific diet is uncertain. While employing this method, it's common to use the Copper John as the point or bottom fly due to its heavier nature.

Lastly, don't be afraid to fish the Copper John in fast-moving or choppy waters. Its hefty profile ensures that it will keep its course and depth even in the roughest currents. Remember, there's no one-size-fits-all method. Success comes from observing the day's fish behavior and adapting your techniques accordingly.

The History of the Copper John

The history of the Copper John, much like the rivers where our beloved trout ascend, carries its own charm. It wove through the decades, a testament to patience, innovation, and passion for fly fishing.

Our journey commences in the 1990s in Boulder, Colorado, a sanctuary for outdoor enthusiasts nestled in the heart of the Rockies. Amidst the towering peaks and free-flowing rivers, John Barr — a man as engaging as the nymph pattern he created — first conceived the Copper John.

An industrious spirit, Barr embodied the quintessential fly tier — patient, precise, and always striving to create the perfect trout lure. He imagined a fly capable of expertly navigating the swift, turbulent waters of his home rivers, quickly sinking to the depths where trout held sway. His idea was simple yet ambitious — a hefty, robust, and tantalizingly lifelike nymph.

From this concept, the original Copper John emerged. Like any masterpiece, though, it underwent various changes and refinements over time. The earliest versions of the fly featured Turkey biots for the wing case, devoid of any epoxy overlay. The initial design, as rugged as its birthplace, was tied without a tapered body.

As materials advanced, Barr adapted the Copper John accordingly. As "Thin Skin" material and epoxy resins gained popularity among fly tiers, Barr incorporated these enhancements into the Copper John, bestowing upon it a glossy, natural-looking shell. Meanwhile, he introduced a slight taper via thread under the wire wraps to the originally straight body, further heightening its mimicry of natural nymphs.

From a simple idea birthed on the banks of Colorado's rivers, the Copper John evolved into a fly-fishing staple — a testament to Barr's vision and dedication. This story proves that even the subtlest ideas, when sculpted with persistence and creativity, can forever impact the vast waters of fly fishing history.

How to Tie the Copper John

The Copper John

Materials

Tying Instructions

  1. Prepare the hook: Run the bead onto the hook, small hole first, and secure the hook in your vise.
  2. Add weight: Wrap around 11 to 12 turns of the lead-free wire against the bead to lay the foundation for the fly.
  3. Start the thread: Begin threading immediately behind the wire wraps and extend it back to the hook bend.
  4. Create the tail: Trim two brown goose biots from the stem and align them so their tips flare outward. Measure them to form a tail one hook shank in length and tie them in place.
  5. Form the body: Pull a length of copper wire from the spool and butt one end against the lead wraps. Wrap the tying thread all the way back to the tail and build a tapered underbody. Then, wind the copper wire up the hook shank, keeping the wraps touching. Secure the copper wire with your thread and snip the wire close.
  6. Begin the wing case: Tie a strand of pearl flashabou directly on top of the hook shank behind the bead. Then, tie a strip of thin skin, keeping it on top of the hook.
  7. Create the thorax: Tie a strand of peacock herl, ensuring the iridescent side faces you. Wrap it around to create a thicker, more appealing thorax. Then, trim off the remainder close to the bead.
  8. Add the legs: Select a speckled brown hen hackle feather, strip some of the lower fibers, and cut out the end of the feather. Place the feather on top of the hook so its cupped side faces down, pull the thin skin over, and secure it with two loose wraps of thread. Adjust the legs' length by pulling on the hen feather stem until the legs reach rearward to the hook point.
  9. Finish the wing case: Pull the flashabou over the legs and secure it with two wraps of thread. Trim it close, being careful not to cut your thread.
  10. Finalize the fly: Finish with a sturdy whip and cut your tying thread free.
  11. Apply Epoxy: Finally, mix equal parts of the Z-Poxy and apply it to the wing case top, starting back on the copper wraps and working forward to the bead. Allow it to cure, and your Copper John is complete.

Tips & Tricks