Copper John

The Copper John was created in 1993 by master fly tier John Barr of Boulder, Colorado. It stands as one of the most innovative and commercially successful trout nymphs ever built, radically changing the fly-tying landscape by using non-tarnishing wire as a heavy, structural body rather than just a ribbing accent.

Barr drew partial inspiration from the Brassie—a classic Colorado midge pattern made entirely of copper wire. However, midges are tiny and lack the distinctive anatomy of larger mayfly and stonefly nymphs.

Barr took the core concept of a solid wire wrap and scaled it up onto a heavier nymph hook. By replacing traditional thread or dubbing with tightly wound, non-tarnishing copper hobby wire, he created an integrated weight system. The wire cut through water resistance like a knife, sinking the fly instantly.