By Mike Hogue
above photo: actual damsel fly, from the University of Michigan Web site
In still water ( ie lakes and ponds) one of the most common insects is
the adult damsel fly. Generally, you will find damsels hatching on bright,
sunny days when air temperatures hit 65 degrees. Damsels adults are identified
by their bright blue slender stick-like bodies and long clear wings. Many
folks will often confuse damsels for dragon flies which are generally quite
large and dark in color.
For several years I tried in vain to imitate these insects unsuccessfully
until Gary Borger's Designing Trout Flies book came out. While fishing in
New Mexico lakes Borger and Bob Pentzl came up with the braided butt damsel
with an extended body and parachute wing. This fly represented the ideal
solution to matching the damsel fly hatch.
After fishing the fly I became frustrated by the problems of the design
created by Borger. The original pattern called for using antron yarn for
the over body and parachute post. By using yarn as a post, Borger's design
acts like a giant sponge and soaks up water like a Viva paper towel. By
substituting foam for the original yarn, my fellow tier and friend Larry
Young, created what may be the perfect damsel fly. The pattern listed below
is our interpretation of Borger's damsel dry fly.
Hook: Mustad 3366 size 10 ( You may wish to sub the 98480)
Eyes: 2.5 mm strung black pearls
Thread: 6/0 black
Back and Parachute post: Blue Fun Foam
Hackle: Silver Dun tied parachute style
Body: Dubbed blue rabbit or poly
Extended body: 20 lb. Gudebrod Braided Mono Backing
1)Begin by cutting a 1 " section of 20 lb. braided
butt backing. Color the backing with a blue marker ( I use Mark's Alot Brand,
Pantone and Sharpie's are also good choices). You may wish to add small
black bars every 1/8" for a grizzly effect. Melt one end of the tail
section with a butane lighter to prevent fraying. Wrap eyes to shank of
the hook in figure "8" wraps. Add a drop of super glue to secure
the wraps. Tie in tail section behind the eye along the hook shank.
2)Cut a 1/8" by 1/2" long section of Fun Foam. Taper one
end to a point and tie in behind eyes. Tie in hackle. Hackle should be oversized......hint
use saddle hackles or very large necks feathers. You may wish to sub grizzly
hackle for dun.
3) Wrap hackle parachute style and tie off feather. Dub hook shank
up to eyes.
4) Pull foam over dubbed body and wrap behind eyes. Move thread forward
and pull foam over eyes and and whip finish head. The completed body should
have one hump for the thorax and another hump over the eyes.
Locating Materials:
For more Info Contact:
Mike Hogue / Badger Creek Fly Tying / 622 West Dryden Road, Freeville, NY 13068
Phone: 607-347-4946