Over the past few years I’ve fished nymphs without wing cases.
This is in streams only and I’ve not done to bad so l figure a wing case may not be a triggering characteristic.

What’s your thoughts?

Michael

I still tie nymphs with wing cases.....but concede it is probably only because *I* and not the fish like the look. A Walt's Worm (a hook fulla hare's mask...that's it) works great on very fussy limestone browns so.....sort of puts the lie to the wing case. Circumstances vary of course.

One place I like a wing case is on my floating nymphs. I use either foam or poly yarn, possibly deerhair depending on what I am trying to imitate.....when I dress thte case and it sits in the film.....very effective. Bordering on emergers here but it looks like a nymph so.......

Interestingly, those "floating nymph" patterns work really well near the bottom too. I tie them unweighted of course and pinch on a shot when conditions warrant it... I have wondered if the bouyant wing case gives the fly some "bounce" or action when plumbing the depths.

Apparently I had more to say about wing cases than I anticipated. Hope it serves in some way.

I've tied a lot of nymphs "in the round" and caught some fish on them, but the same question can be asked about shellbacks on scud/sowbug patterns or legs on nymphs and even tails on nymphs; trout are instinctive opportunists that sample sticks and stones and moss in the event there might be a meal there, cased caddis or periwinkle. Details sometimes make more difference than at other times, fibers that move add life like appearance and have that soft resistance to biting than might indicate food, a wing case on a soft fluffy body might have a bit of crunch that the fish would hold onto, if used to eating insects with tough wing cases.
I don't believe a wing case ever makes a pattern less attractive, but I don't believe they always necessary either.

Interesting replies thanks.
I can see the bonus a foam wing case makes on a floating nymph.