Wingless Damsel

[Old Hat]

This is my wingless damselfly nymph. I have tried many damsel patterns, and I mean many. This is the only one I tie anymore for emerging damselflies. Most damsels I've found are shade of brown to olive. I adjust the number of each color herl to more correctly match to specific water, but this is a good all-around combination. The beadhead, however somewhat ugly, is an important feature in the action of the damsel. It allows the pattern to dive slightly when being worked slowly through the water.

Hook: #12 Gaelic Supreme Soft Hackle
Thread: Brown Griffith's 14/0
Bead: very small black metal bead
Hackle: olive india hen short
Rib: x-fine silver wire
Tail: ostrich herl tips(two green, one brown)
Abdomen: green and brown herls twisted and wrapped forward stopping at rear of thorax
Thorax: Brown ostrich herl

For the thorax I use either the one strand of left over brown from the body if long enough or use another brown and tie it in. I wrap the herl forward over the thorax then back and tie it down. Then I open wrap the hackle back through the thorax, tie it down. I move the thread through the hackle to the front of the fly and then follow with the herl forward again making about three turns of herl in the front then tie off behind the bead.

[William Anderson]

OH, I haven't tried a damsel pattern but when I do, I'll refer to this one, it will save me from having to figure it out. Nice pic too. It really helps me see how these materials blend together.

BTW, I was just going through all the flies that I have from swaps, extras, etc. and spent some time looking through all the flies I have from you. Just beautiful, and nice combinations of materials. I'm glad I tie flies just for fishing. It's humbling to look at all the flies from everyone here up close and in the hand. Kudos to this group.

w

[Old Hat]

Thanks,


"Nice pic too"
Been playing with a new camera I got for Christmas and a macro lens that a friend has let me borrow. I see I need to work on the aperature just a bit though.

[michaelgmcgraw]

Great fly Old Hat, Have you tried bead chain eyes? There is a life like speckled black available.
Just saying. . .

[letumgo]

Remarkable & inspiring dressing, Carl! Makes me want to run to my vice...

[Old Hat]

Great fly Old Hat, Have you tried bead chain eyes? There is a life like speckled black available.
Just saying. . .

I haven't only because I haven't found any small enough that I like. I've tried mono but it's not heavy enough for me.

[michaelgmcgraw]

No problem Old Hat!

[willowhead]

Gorgeous pattern.....i'm with Mike though on Damsel nymphs.....i really like to use bead chain for eyes. But it makes no difference if your catchin' fish obviously. Great tyin'.

[VERN-O]

one word: sexy!!!

[tie2fish]

Another winner for you, O.H. I continue to marvel at your ability to make your patterns look life-like.