Euro Damsel

HOOK: Dai Riki 270, size 8-14 HEAD: Copper bead, 3/32 or 1/8 inch THREAD: Olive Uni-thread, 8/0 TAIL: Marabou, sparse BODY: Dubbed light olive sparkle dubbing RIBBING: Fine gold wire LEGS: Olive Hungarian partridge, two wraps COLLAR: Olive ostrich herl

Uses

Imitates a damselfly nymph. Extremely useful in lakes and slackwater portions of rivers. Damselfly nymphs are active throughout the spring. In July, they migrate to above-water objects such as standing timber, rocks, and the shore. Adults emerge out of the water. After July, most mature damselfly nymphs have hatched, so trout are no longer expecting to see them.

 
This pattern seems to be especially effective for bass and panfish.

How to Fish

Throughout the spring, count-down-and-retrieve using an intermediate line. Due to its beadhead, this fly is meant for quick retrieves just below the surface.

Tying Instructions

1. Install beadhead and tie on thread.

2. Tie in marabou tail at the midpoint of the hook shank, extending beyond the shank for 1/2 the length of the shank. Trim butts close to reduce bulk.

3. Tie in fine gold wire.

4. Dub body, keeping it as thin as possible.

5. Wrap wire ribbing, about 7 wraps. Trim and discard.

6. Tie in partridge feather, make two wraps. Sweep fibers back towards tail. Make a wrap of thread over the fibers to keep them close to the body. Trim and discard excess.

7. Tie in two strands of olive ostrich herl and make 4-6 wraps. Tie off, trim, and discard excess.

8. Whip finish and cement.