Top Missouri River Nymphs in March

Intro to Top Missouri River Nymphs in March

Late winter and early spring are “pink season” on the Missouri. Top Missouri River nymphs in March are almost all pink. Whether the fish are taking these assorted pink bugs as eggs or dead scuds and sowbugs probably depends on the specific fish. Nonetheless, they work. The key is generally getting them down. These flies should be ticking bottom just on the edge of the current seam in 5-8 feet of water in slow walking-speed runs.

Rainbow Czech Nymph

This is a great multipurpose nymph that can look like a sowbug, scud, egg, or even a caddis larva. Also try it with the bead replaced with a fluorescent flame “fire bead.” Another good similar pattern is the AMEX, which basically just swaps the abdomen and thorax colors around and replaces the shellback with a tinsel wingcase over the thorax alone.

• Hook: #12-18 scud. Note that you can also tie this fly as a “jig nymph” with the proper hooks and beads.
• Bead: gold brass or tungsten
• Thread: 6/0-8/0 black, pink, or tan.
• Shellback: clear scud back.
• Rib: black wire or midge/micro tubing.
• Abdomen: Wapsi rainbow sow-scud dubbing (note that the Wapsi product is far better than others for this fly).
• Hotspot/Thorax: Bighorn pink sow-scud dubbing, or other hot pink dubbing.
• Head: one or two turns of rainbow sow-scud dubbing.

Pink Firebead Soft Hackle Sowbug

Various bright pink sow/scud patterns are always favorites on the Missouri at this time, and some get surprisingly complicated. Most years, I do better by following the KISS rule. You’ll use up a lot of firebead flies, mostly because the beads get banged up and lose their effectiveness, and it’s easy to fill your box with this pattern. Experiment with different shades of pink on the body (I typically carry four subtle shades) and tie some of each with light dun and some with cream or white hackle.

• Hook: #16-18 short shank nymph.
• Bead: fluorescent fire orange brass or tungsten “fire bead.”
• Thread: fluorescent fire orange 8/0
• Body: pink dubbing blend.
• Hackle: one or two turns of light dun, cream, or white hen.

Pink Lightning Bug

This one likely crosses over between eggs, scuds, and Blue-winged Olive mayfly nymphs. There are many competing variations of this fly. I’ve given the recipe for the one I use the most. Don’t hesitate to experiment with different tail materials, bead colors, metallic or translucent pink body materials, and dubbing blends for the thorax.

• Hook: #16-18 scud.
• Bead: nickel brass or tungsten.
• Thread: hot pink 8/0.
• Tail: A few strands of shell pink Antron yarn, or similar yarn.
• Abdomen: pink Holographic Flashabou.
• Rib: extra small red Ultra Wire.
• Wing Case: tag ends of abdomen Flashabou.
• Thorax: pale pink dubbing blend