I have taught a similar patterns in some of my classes called the ‘Little Gray’. It is a one strand of gray antron nymph, with little or no adornments, except perhaps a copper rib. So, when I saw this pattern I recognized the simple perfection. I tie the wings to the rear rather than splayed to the sides with no wingcase and slightly sparser. 

One Yarn Nymph

Brown Mayfly Nymph
Brown Mayfly Nymph

hook: size 10-18 Tiemco 3769 or other 2x heavy nymph hook
thread: 6/0 UNI, dark brown
head: black or copper bead, 5/32”
wingcase: antron yarn, brown stone
thorax: antron yarn, brown stone
legs: antron yarn, brown stone
body: antron yarn, brown stone
tail: antron yarn, brown stone

“Place bead on hook and wrap thread to hook bend. Tie in 3″ of antron yarn, leaving the length of fibers about one hook length as the tail. Wrap thread forward, a few leye lengths behind th eye. Wrap (palmer)the antron yarn around the hook, 2/3 of the length, building up a tapered body. Tie in and leave tag end on bottom of hook. Cut 1” piece of yarn, and tie in as a wingcase. Wrap the existing tag end of yarn forward to behind the beadhead, building a thorax. Tie off and trim. Tie in a small piece of yarn on each side of the hook shank behind the bead head, forming the legs, about 2/3 of a hook length. Tie off and trim. Fold the wingcase forward, tie off and trim. Whip finish behind the beadhead and epoxy the threads and wingcase.

Another Version
Another Version

I was involved in a challenge to tie a fly using only one material, yarn, and thread. Bead heads or bead-chain eyes, optional. It was time to get creative and I had already been experimenting wtih antron yarn. I was trying to tie an all synthetic nymph. This was one of the results. Fish this like a standard heavy nymph.”

http://www.roughfisher.com/       http://www.fishingminnesota.com/forum

I came across this pattern on the Fishing Minnesota forum  and I appreciate the simplicity and potential variety for this pattern. I also checked out the Roughfisher site (Jean Paul Lipton) and found additional nymphs. Lots to learn there if you can get by the 1/21/09 pic of the always amazing April Vokey…how does she live with herself. My son, Tony, has previously threatened to move away to Chilliwack because of April. There goes one of my fishing partners.