Euro NymphsBread and Butter
The Bread and Butter is a versatile jig-style euro nymph that has earned its name by consistently producing fish across a wide range of conditions. This Trident Fly Fishing pattern combines classic nymph design elements—buggy hare's ear dubbing, flashy copper ribbing, and a hot-spot thorax—into a reliable subsurface producer. Simple enough for beginners yet effective enough for the most demanding tailwaters.
Year Round
Intermediate
Trout
Overview
This Trident Fly Fishing tutorial demonstrates a go-to jig nymph that belongs in every euro nymph box. The slotted tungsten bead rides point-up to reduce snags while ensuring the fly reaches the strike zone quickly. The Coq De Leon tail provides movement and natural barring that mimics mayfly nymph tails, while the dubbed hare's ear body creates a buggy, translucent profile fish can't resist. The UV2 Seal-X thorax adds a subtle UV trigger and color variation that separates this pattern from standard hare's ear nymphs. Can be tied in various sizes to match everything from small BWOs to larger March Browns.
Pattern Characteristics
Materials
Hook: Gamakatsu J20B, size #8–#20
Bead: Tungsten bead, 3.8mm, gold
Thread: UNI-Thread, 8/0, camel
Weight: .020 lead wire
Tail: Whiting Coq De Leon Tailing Pack, dark pardo
Body: Hare's Ear dubbing, natural
Ribbing: UTC Ultra Wire, medium, copper
Thorax: Spirit River UV2 Seal-X dubbing, brown sugar
Fishing Tips
Season
Effective year-round as a staple searching pattern. Particularly productive during mayfly emergences in spring and fall, but the attractor qualities make it a consistent producer even during slow periods.
Presentation
Ideal for tight-line euro nymphing techniques. The jig design allows close contact with the bottom while the tungsten bead provides excellent feel for subtle takes. Dead drift through likely holding water, maintaining constant contact with your sighter.
When to Use
Best as a confidence pattern when you're unsure what fish are eating. The buggy profile and natural coloration match a variety of subsurface food sources. Works exceptionally well as the point fly in a two-nymph euro rig.
Water Type
Ideal for riffles, runs, and pocket water on freestone streams and tailwaters. The weighted jig design handles moderate to fast currents effectively. Particularly effective in seams and transition zones where trout hold.
Rigging Suggestions
Fish on a euro nymph leader with a thin-diameter sighter. Works as either the point fly or dropper in multi-fly rigs. Pair with a brighter attractor pattern or smaller midge for maximum coverage.
Visibility & Floatation
Sinks quickly due to tungsten bead and lead wraps. The gold bead and copper wire provide subtle flash underwater. The UV2 dubbing in the thorax adds visibility in low-light conditions.
