Dragon-X Nymph Freshwater Hook : Mustad 9672 streamer hook or similar 6-12. Thread : To match color of fly. Underbody : Lead wire, or tape, or Storm Suspend strips flattened, or shaped into a aspen leaf shape, flat plastic can be used also to make this shape if you do not want to add additional weight. Body Covering : Chenille, yarn, or dubbing to cover weight or plastic. Eyes : Large beadchain black, or colored with marker Head/Wingcase : Craft foam circle to match or contrast with color of body, tied in bullethead style (Madame X). Legs : Flat or round rubber to match body, slightly brighter tied in Madam X style one piece per side.
Tying Instructions 1) Tie the fly inverted clouser style, bead chain will be on the bottom. 2) Start by laying a base of thread from eye to bend, add lead under body and shape. 3) I used a Storm Lure's Suspend Strip (flat adhesive backed lead strips 1/4"X3/4" , 6.5mm X 19mm) poke a hole in the middle with my bodkin and fold over hook adhesive side to itself. 4) Cover with some wraps of thread be careful not to bend body put a drop of superglue on either end to secure lead. 5) Lead body should extend from bend to 2/3 point of shank. 6) Take thread back to the bend of hook tie in chenille and cover body. Body should be flat and wide, not a cylinder. 7) Tie in beadchain eye with figure 8 wraps, add a drop of superglue to secure in place. 8) Set foam circle between eyes on top of fly and make a couple of figure 8 wraps to hold, add rubber legs behind bead chain whip finish and tie off. 9) Coat top of foam and thread with head cement. Fish! I normally tie this fly with deerhair for the head, but I was using such a large set of beadchain eyes it needed the added floatation of the foam. Here are the steps if you would use deerhair. 1) Tie in stacked deer body hair make sure it goes all the way around shank or but a stack above or below, wrap thread to behind eye securing hair. 2) Wrap back and tie in beadchain on bottom of fly. 3) Pull back deer hair over eye and make two wraps to secure and slightly flare the hair. 4) Add a rubber leg to each side and secure with thread. 5) Tie off. 6) Put a drop of super glue on the thread wraps to finish.
Fly Notes
Fishing Notes Cast to a selected area and let fly settle for a few seconds, then begin a series of quick short strips followed by a few slow strips, sometimes rolling the line back in with the fingers just barely moving the fly at a crawl works great. Target species include Bass, Golden Perch and other fresh water natives. All freshwater species that eat insects size on this fly may be varied to suit the intended quarry. It also works in still water for trout, and a large version with an extra set of legs works as a crab imitation in saltwater.
Location Notes Best if used in weedy areas where dragonflies are present, a weed guard is sometimes required.
Prey Notes Imitates a dragonfly nymph before emerging from the water. Tie these up in shades of browns and greens. When nothing else seems to work try one in all white or all black it can sometimes make fish turn on suddenly.
Tier Robert Morger

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