Damsel Nymph

The damsel surely one of the most versatile flies around. You can fish this fly on a slow figure of 8 retrieve or pulled on a fast glass and it will yield results. I have even heard of some anglers suspending them on bungs.

The first thing to do is select your hook I am using a Kamasan B175 size ten, I sometimes use a twelve to allow more movement in  the tail. I am using black thread and the colour of marabou is down to personal preference. There are so many different shades of green it would be impossible to pick one in particular.

Once the colour is selected tie in the tail fibres.

Once the first stage has been done I pinch the tail with my right hand and pluck any marabou not required to create the right length. *DO NOT THROW AWAY THE MARABOU YOU HAVE JUST PLUCKED* we will be using this for the dubbing of the body.

 

 

You will notice the tail has a raggedy natural finish rather than if it were cut by scissors. Some people say it makes no difference but this is my preferred way.

 

 

 

 

Dub the leftover marabou onto the thread sometimes I use a prick stick on the thread to help the dubbing take; I have not done so on this occasion.

 

 

 

 

I am using a copper rib this time you can use silver or gold if you prefer. Catch the rib under the dubbing and carry on winding the dubbing up towards the eye of the hook.

 

 

 

 

Once you have wound the rib up the body it is time to tie in the thorax cover I am using pheasant tail fibres that have been dyed yellow.

It is important at this stage that you get the right length as we will be using the tips of the pheasant tail fibres in a later stage.

Cut away any excess pheasant tail.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Its time to build the thorax, I am using green glister dubbing. Simply dub the glister onto your tying thread and build up a neat thorax.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The fly should now look like this.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I am now using a partridge feather to create a beard for the fly; this only requires one turn around the eye. Once this is done you can secure it and disregard the waste.

 

 

 

 

Pull the thorax cover over the eye of the hook and secure it. Do not trim away any excess as we will be using it next.

 

 

 

 

 

Use a needle to split the remaining pheasant tail fibres, pull them to the rear and secure them in place.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The fly should look like this.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I like to use different coloured heads on my damsels on this occasion I am using glo-bright no5 (Red). I build up a nice head then varnish it to achieve the finished article.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The finished item enjoy!