Rainbow Warrior
Description
The Rainbow Warrior is a highly effective modern nymph developed by competitive angler Lance Egan. It is a flashy, attractor-style imitation that suggests a wide range of aquatic insects, especially midge and mayfly nymphs. With its hot-spot thread collar, iridescent wing case, and tungsten bead, it excels in fast water and pressured fisheries, making it a staple in Euro-nymphing and competition-style rigs.
Recommended sizes: 14-22
Materials
- Body: Pearl Mylar
- Tail: Pheasant Tail
- Torak: Rainbow dubbing
- Thread: Red, 8/0 or 70-denier Thread.
- Hook: Scud/Emerger Hook
Tying Instructions
- 1.
Slide the silver tungsten bead onto the hook, small hole first, and seat it behind the eye.
- 2.
Start the red thread immediately behind the bead and trim the tag end. Wrap the thread back to about the hook point.
- 3.
Strip 5–6 pheasant tail fibers and align the tips. Measure a tail about one hook gap long. Secure the fibers on top of the shank and wrap rearward into the bend. Trim excess.
- 4.
Tie in a single strand of wide pearl mylar just behind the bead. Secure it along the top of the shank back to the base of the tail.
- 5.
Wrap the red thread forward to the bead, creating a smooth red underbody.
- 6.
Wrap the mylar forward in overlapping spiral wraps to just behind the bead. Secure with thread.
- 7.
Pull the mylar backward over the top of the body and wrap thread back toward the hook point to set the wing case length.
- 8.
Apply a thin noodle of rainbow dubbing to the thread. Wrap a short, slightly bulbous thorax just behind the bead.
- 9.
Bring the mylar forward over the thorax and secure behind the bead with several tight wraps. Fold the mylar back and wrap again to lock it in. Trim excess.
- 10.
Use the red thread to build a small, bright collar behind the bead.
- 11.
Whip finish with 4–5 turns, cut the thread, and apply a small drop of head cement.