NymphPMD Transition Flymph
This flymph is tied for the narrow window when Pale Morning Dun nymphs swim up through the water column but haven't broken the surface. Pheasant tail barbs build the tail and abdomen, a partridge hackle with one side stripped kicks like a swimming leg, and a pale yellow-cream thorax rounds out a profile trout key on as the naturals rise.
Spring, Summer, Fall
Intermediate
Trout
Feb 2026
Overview
Allen McGee originated this transitional design; the recipe here comes from Hans Weilenmann's tying video. Bright copper wire ribs the abdomen and adds just enough weight to hold the fly in the film rather than dragging it to bottom. The stripped partridge hackle keeps the silhouette sparse while still pulsing in the current, mimicking a nymph's swimming legs. Fish it on a dead drift or a slow lift through a PMD hatch when trout are focused on emergers rather than duns or spent spinners.
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Materials
- Hook:
- Wet fly hook #16
- Weight/rib:
- Copper wire, bright
- Thread:
- Benecchi 12/0, tobacco
- Hackle:
- Hungarian partridge shoulder feather, one side stripped
- Tail/abdomen:
- Pheasant tail barbs
- Thorax:
- Camel or rabbit, pale yellow-cream
Behavior & Presentation
Natural Behavior: Pale Morning Dun nymphs swim actively just beneath the surface as they transition to emergence, suspended in the vulnerable zone between bottom safety and airborne escape. Fish feed confidently in this narrow window when the insects are fully exposed yet unable to fly.
Where Trout Eat It: Upper water column just below the surface in tailwater runs with smooth currents, spring creeks, freestone stream riffles and pools, feeding lanes, and current seams. Focus on water depths of 2-4 feet.
How to Fish It: Fish with a downstream swing or dead drift in the upper water column to imitate emerging PMD nymphs ascending to the surface because this matches their vulnerable ascent behavior. Use a high-stick technique with occasional lifts to simulate the struggling emerger. Allow the soft hackle to provide natural movement in the current. Maintain contact throughout the drift.
Best Water: Tailwater runs with smooth currents, spring creeks, freestone stream riffles and pools, current seams, feeding lanes in water depths of 2-4 feet where emergers are most vulnerable.
Strike Type: Subtle tightening or hesitation as trout intercept ascending emergers just below the surface. Watch for subsurface flashes or bulges indicating takes.
Fishing Strategy
Rigging Suggestions: Use a 10-12ft 5X or 6X tippet for technical presentations. Fish with a greased leader technique, keeping the fly just below the surface film. No added weight is typically needed. In deeper runs, add a single split shot 18 inches above.
Seasonal Timing: Most productive late May through August during Pale Morning Dun hatches, with peak effectiveness in June and July because this aligns with peak PMD emergence. Fish during morning hours from 9 AM through 1 PM when PMD emergences are most concentrated. Effective when water temperatures are 54-64°F during the transition phase of the hatch. Most effective during the early stages of a hatch when fish focus on vulnerable emergers.
Pro Tips: The transition flymph is most effective during the critical moments when PMD nymphs are ascending but haven't reached the surface. Fish it when you see subsurface activity but few surface rises.
Entomology
Pale Morning Dun nymphs swim actively just beneath the surface as they transition to emergence, suspended in the vulnerable zone between bottom safety and airborne escape. Fish feed confidently in this narrow window when the insects are fully exposed yet unable to fly.
- Order
- Ephemeroptera
- Common Name
- Mayfly
- Organism Type
- insect
- Life Stage
- general
