Horse Collar Nymph
Jan 29, 2026
Our tying series continues with the Horse Collar Nymph tied by Bob Adams. George Harvey first tied the fly, imitating what he thought was a male Trico nymph, at the Paradise section of Spring Creek in 1934. Gary Borger in his book "Nymphing a Basic Book" calls the fly the Horse Collar Midge referencing Charlie Fox’s book "Rising Trout". According to Harvey, Charlie Fox, after seeing the fly, gave it its name because the chenille head reminded him of a horse’s collar. This is a simple yet effective pattern to keep in your box.
Horse Collar Nymph - A George Harvey Pattern
Hook: short shank nymph hook
Thread: 8/0 Black
Tail: Black Hackle Fibers**
Body: Black Floss Collar: Fine Black Chenille
The fly can also be tied in olive and cream
*George Harvey’s pattern listed in his book "George Harvey Memories, Patterns and Tactics" does not list a tail, but the picture of the fly in his previously mentioned book shows a tail of hackle fibers.
