Brown Beadhead Damsel Nymph Beadhead - Freshwater Hook : Size 12 Kamasan B401 Trout Whisker Barb. Thread : 6/0 Dark Brown. Bead : Small gold. Tail : Brown Marabou fibers. Body : Dark Brown tying thread OR preferably thin dark brown vinyl ribbing. Thorax : Brown Seals fur or equivalent. Wingcase : Chocolate brown rayon straw (single ply).
Tying Instructions 1) Insert bead onto hook shank and tie in behind eye and add a small drop of super glue to help secure. 2) Take thread back along hook shank to a position level to the end of the barb and tie in Marabou tail. 3) Construct a small even body with tying thread finishing a 1/3 of the hook shank length behind the gold bead. 4) Tie in rayon straw leaving 2-3mm protruding rearwards. Take the tag end (now facing forwards) and pull backwards to point to the tail. 5) Dub in a thorax and tie in straw rayon tag over this to form the wing case and whip finish behind gold bead. As mentioned above I prefer to use thin brown vinyl ribbing for the body. If available it should be tied in after the tail and wrapped around the hook shank to form the body. All else remains the same.
Fly Notes
Fishing Notes The damsel is best fished with a slow figure of 8 retrieve. I normally use a fluorocarbon leader of between 12 and 20 ft depending on water depth, clarity and of course wind conditions. (a 20 ft leader is rather difficult to turn over without any breeze). Tapered leaders are unnecessary in this situation and tend to reduce the sink rate of the fly. An important factor in the fly's ability to move naturally in the water is the method by which it is attached to the leader. I have found the most effective knot to be the Turtle Knot which, from experience assists with the fly "riding true" in the water when retrieved. I normally allow the fly to settle for about 30-60 seconds (again depending on water depth) before beginning the retrieve. Target species Brown & Rainbow Trout.
Location Notes Best fished around weed beds of lakes and reservoirs where trout cruise in search of food. I find the pattern most effective during the spring & autumn when good numbers of adults are on the wing. (Suggesting good hatches have been occurring)
Prey Notes Designed to imitate damsel nymphs as an imitative pattern.
Tier Ashley Morrow

|   AFS Home   |   Swaps   |   Fly Box   |   Search   |