Fly Tying: Simple Marabou Micro Damsel

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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