Fly Tying: The Maholo Nymph

Mahalo Nymph
Maholo Nymph

When I started doing research for flies for Pyramid Lake, the Maholo Nymph kept popping up on every Pyramid Lake fly list that I read. After some more research I found some pictures of what the Maholo Nymph was supposed to look like and made a stab at trying to recreate it with the materials that I had at hand. Although I’m looking forward to seeing how it’s going to work at Pyramid, I also think that the Maholo nymph could be tied up in some smaller sizes and make a great attractor pattern on some of the small creeks here in Arizona. Since it’s so bright and shiny, the Maholo nymph could be the ticket in the early spring when the water is still a bit high and off color.

The original Maholo Nymph was designed by Rod Anderson of the Reno Fly Shop. The name comes from a cross between the Hawaiian word for “thank you” and the Holographic tinsel used for the body of the fly.

Material List:

Hook: Curved Caddis/Shrimp Hook (I’ve been tying #10 and #8s for Pyramid)

Gold Bead

Thread: Black 70 Denier Thread

Tail/Wingcase/Legs: Pheasant Tail

Body: Red Tinsel (Sulky Holoshimmer Tinsel available in multiple colors at craft store)

Rib: Small Copper Wire

Thorax: Olive Ice-Dub (I substituted some red Simi-Seal Material on some of the different colored tinseled bodies)

Clear Cure Goo Tack Free

Optional: Pearlescent Tinsel for flashback wingcase

Mahalo Nymph
Bead. Wrap thread to bend in the hook. Secure pheasant tail with thread wraps
Mahalo Nymph
Holoshimmer Tinsel found at local craft store
Mahalo Nymph
Secure tinsel and wire with thread wraps
Mahalo Nymph
Wrap tinsel forward and secure
Mahalo Nymph
Wrap wire forward and secure
Mahalo Nymph
Lightly coat the tinsel and wire with Clear Cure Goo. This helps with durability.
Mahalo Nymph
Tie in pheasant tail fibers for wingcase and legs. I’ve seen some tied with a piece of Pearlescent tinsel for the wingcase as well.
Mahalo Nymph
Green Ice-Dub for a thorax.
Mahalo Nymph
Fold the pheasant tail over and secure. Pull the legs back along the side and secure with a whip finish.
Mahalo Nymphs
Some different color variations. Some tied with Pearlescent tinsel for wingcase.

Opt In Image
Stay Updated on Future Wanderings

Sign up to receive email updates from Arizona Wanderings

17 Responses to “Fly Tying: The Maholo Nymph”

  1. Jonathan

    Nice tie. I’m super excited for your report! Are you going to do a ladder review for the gear section? 😛

    Reply
    • azwanderings

      Thanks Jonathan. I’m not seeing a ladder review in my future.

      Ben

      Reply
  2. Dan Wight

    Happy Saturday, Love the pattern. Where I live in Northeastern Washington we use flys of this type as a point fly or dropper behind a larger floater or larger nymph. I have been using a very similar if not identical material from Madera called jewel which is nothing more that a machine embroidery thread. fabulous stuff since it stretches and lays where you put it. I have been using it for steelhead flys and chronmid patterns in lakes for about 10 years. Keep up the great work,I just stumbled onto your site today and your photography is tops!

    Reply
    • azwanderings

      Thanks for the kind words Dan. Glad you like the pattern.

      Ben

      Reply
    • azwanderings

      Thanks Howard. I agree and I think I’m going to tie some up for my small stream box.

      Ben

      Reply
  3. David G

    Love the pattern Ben! I have yet to try flashy bugs in stillwater. I really feel that I have to mention that you are using opposing colors. That is more brilliant than the fly itself! Love the blue and red combo. It hurts my brains…

    Reply
    • azwanderings

      Thanks David. I’m thinking it’s going to be a killer on some of the small streams here in AZ. Let me know how it fishes for you.

      Ben

      Reply
  4. Chris Evison

    Ben,
    Great job at showing the step by step. Nice tip on putting a hardener on after wire wrap, then finish fly. Most descriptions I’ve seen on this fly and the Maholo midges miss this step. Truly increases the life of the fly.

    Rob ties these in small sizes for stream/river fishing. Pattern is also a popular steelhead fly in No. Calif. and So. Oregon.

    Just fished Pyramid with Rob and other friends last Thursday. It was decent action and most effective fly was the Maholo nymph. Biggest fish was a 26″ male towards end of day. Contact me if you make it up here, I’d be happy to show you around.

    Chris

    Reply
    • azwanderings

      Thanks Chris. I appreciate the kind words. It’s a great fly and I’ve tied a couple up for the small streams as well. Should do the trick here in Arizona.

      Ben

      Reply
  5. Craig Lannigan

    Thanks for a step by step guide.
    I’ll be fish Pyramid Lake in another week, April 13-19 with a friend. I’ve always used foam beetles and wooly worms but this year I tied a few of your Maholo nymphs to try. Great job

    Reply
    • azwanderings

      Thanks Craig. I’m glad the step by step helped. I’m looking forward to my trip. Best of luck on the water and let me know how the maholo’s work for you.

      Ben

      Reply

Leave a Reply