Immature damselfly imitations are incredibly effective in early season stillwater fly fishing
There are many ways to fish them effectively, but I stick to three proven methods. The first being suspended under a strike indicator, allowing the fly to dead drift and undulate in a light breeze. The next being a naked floating line with a 6lb fluorocarbon leader, lightly twitching the fly back to me. The final method is with a clear intermediate or slow sinking line, the controlled sink rate allowing you to fish this fly in the shallows without touching bottom.
This is a simple way to tie a micro-damsel imitation, and a great pattern if you are limited on time. Below is a step-by-step tutorial to help you fill another row in the fly box for spring!
Hook: Dai-Riki #135 or Tiemco #2457 sz. 12
Thread: UTC 70 (colour of preference)
Bead: 3/32 Gold
Body: Twisted Marabou fibres
Rib: Sm or X-Sm Copper Wire (colour of preference)
Step 1: Place hook in vice and slide 3/32 bead up to eye with small tapered end facing forward
Step 2: Start thread and tie in a pinch of marabou feathers with the tips facing towards the back of the hook. I have chosen chartreuse for this fly but immature damselflies come in a wide variety of colours This will form the tail, which should be roughly half the length of the shank of the hook. Once you’ve made a couple wraps to secure the tail section, fold the stems of the marabou fibers back and make one wrap. This keeps the messy fibers out of your way.
Step 3: Tie in a length of copper wire and bring your thread forward.
Step 4: Twist the marabou fibers clockwise and wrap forward to form the body with no spaces. The fibers will naturally palmer themselves, tie off and trim excess.
Step 5: Wrap copper wire forward to form segmentation. Marabou is not an overly durable material, the wire helps the body last a few more fish.
Step 6: Whip finish, cut thread & repeat!
As pictured above, this fly can be tied in a variety of colours. I have had success with watery olive, light olive, olive, highlander green, chartreuse and yellow. Sometimes the same pattern in a slightly different shade can make a big difference.
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2 Responses
Zach
What size hook did you use on this fly?
Jordan Oelrich
Hi Zach,
This was tied on a #10 2xs scud hook!