Copper John

Copper John

The Copper John is one of the best-selling and most widely used attractor nymphs in the world — a pattern developed by John Barr that combines a fast-sinking wire body with a bright bead head and epoxy wing case to create a fly that gets into the strike zone quickly and stays there. The copper wire body is dense and heavy, allowing the Copper John to sink faster than almost any other nymph of the same size, making it an ideal anchor fly in a two-nymph rig and a go-to pattern for fishing deep runs, fast pocket water, and any situation where getting the fly down quickly is essential. Its bold, metallic profile catches light in the water column and triggers strikes from trout that are holding deep and feeding on the bottom.

Pattern Details

• Style: Fast-sinking attractor nymph
• Body: Copper wire — dense, heavy body that sinks faster than almost any other nymph of the same size
• Wing case: Epoxy — durable, glossy finish that catches light and adds a realistic, segmented profile
• Head: Bead — adds additional weight and a bright attractor point
• Best water: Fast-water rivers, deep runs, and pocket water — wherever getting the fly to the bottom quickly is essential
• Target species: Trout
• Techniques: Used as an anchor fly in a two-nymph euro or indicator rig; dead-drifted through deep runs and pocket water; tight-line nymphed through fast water where a heavy fly is needed to reach the strike zone
• Sizes available: 10, 12, 14

One of the world’s best-selling nymphs for good reason — the Copper John’s fast-sinking wire body and bold metallic profile get the fly into the strike zone fast and trigger strikes from trout holding deep in rivers and runs.