Perdigon
Also called Perdigone nymph, Perdigon nymph
A Perdigon is a slim, heavily weighted nymph with a smooth, glossy body (often UV resin) built to sink fast and track near the bottom.
- Group
- Nymph patterns
- Category
- Flies & fly types
- Level
- Intermediate
- Water
- Freshwater
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What Perdigon means
Think “fast-sinking, low-drag nymph.” A Perdigon is tied skinny, usually with a tungsten bead and a hard, slick body finish. Many versions use a tail of short fibers and a small hot spot or collar for visibility.
They’re commonly tied on jig hooks or standard nymph hooks, in sizes that match small mayfly and caddis nymphs. Color schemes range from natural olives and browns to brighter pinks and oranges, but the shared idea is the same: get down quickly without a bulky profile.
Why it matters on the water
A Perdigon changes how quickly a rig reaches the depth that matters. In deeper runs, faster currents, or pocketwater, that can mean fewer “dead drifts” spent above the fish.
Because the body is hard and smooth, it tends to cut through current and hold its shape after fish and rocks. That makes it a dependable choice as the point fly in a two-nymph setup, with a smaller pattern trailing behind.
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Read next
- BeadheadA beadhead is a fly tied with a metal or tungsten bead at the front. The bead adds weight and a little flash, helping a nymph sink and ride hook-point down.
- Copper JohnA Copper John is a weighted beadhead nymph with a wire-wrapped body and a bright wingcase. It’s used to get down fast and show a little flash in the drift.
- Jig nymphA nymph tied on a jig-style hook so it rides point-up, usually with a bead at the eye. Built to get down and drift with fewer bottom snags.
- Pheasant Tail NymphA slim, buggy nymph pattern tied with pheasant tail fibers, usually to imitate mayfly nymphs. It’s a standard “search” nymph for trout and other freshwater fish.