PMD Prince
Prince nymph that is great for imitating emerging PMDs, sulfurs, or any light colored nymph.
The PMD Prince is a light colored nymph built for trout feeding on Pale Morning Duns, sulphurs, and similar emerging mayflies. It keeps the confidence of a Prince style profile while shifting the color toward lighter insects.
This pattern is useful before and during mayfly activity when trout are feeding below the surface rather than taking dries. It can also work as a general searching nymph when pale aquatic insects are present in the drift.
Fish it under an indicator, on a Euro nymphing rig, or as a dropper below a dry fly. It is especially useful in riffles, seams, tailouts, and clear runs where trout are watching for light colored nymphs and emergers.
FAQs
What does the PMD Prince imitate?
The PMD Prince is a mayfly-focused twist on the classic Prince-style nymph, built to suggest Pale Morning Dun nymphs and other pale, active subsurface bugs trout see before and during a hatch. PMDs are mayflies, and trout can feed on mayfly nymphs near the bottom before they rise, emerge, and become adults. This fly gives you a buggy, pale nymph profile with enough attraction to stand out without looking like it escaped a parade float.
Where does the PMD Prince work best?
The PMD Prince works best in riffles, runs, seams, pocket water, pool heads, and soft edges below faster current. Mayfly nymphs live around stream-bottom structure and become vulnerable when they drift or begin moving toward emergence. Trout often hold low in moving water where the current is slower but food still comes by, so get this fly into that lower feeding lane instead of letting it wave from the cheap seats.
When should I fish a PMD Prince?
Fish a PMD Prince before and during PMD hatches, especially when trout are feeding below the surface but not yet rising steadily. It is also a strong searching nymph in late spring and summer PMD water, or anytime pale mayfly nymphs are likely drifting through riffles, runs, and seams. When the surface has not turned on yet, this fly helps you fish the hatch before the hatch gets obvious.
How should I fish the PMD Prince?
Fish the PMD Prince under an indicator, tight-line style, Euro-style, or as part of a two-nymph rig. Start with a natural dead drift near the bottom, then adjust until you occasionally tick structure without snagging every cast. If PMDs are beginning to emerge, try letting the fly lift slightly at the end of the drift to imitate a nymph rising toward the surface. Mayfly fishing usually rewards clean drifts first and fancy rod-tip ideas second.
Why carry a PMD Prince instead of a standard Prince Nymph?
Carry a PMD Prince when trout are keyed on lighter mayfly nymphs and you want the proven attraction of a Prince-style profile in a more hatch-matching color. A standard Prince is a great searching nymph, but the PMD version gives you a better pale-mayfly option when Pale Morning Duns are around or expected. It is the difference between bringing “something buggy” and bringing something buggy that read the PMD memo.
