Floating Damsel Emerger Freshwater Hook : Tiemco 200R orb other light gauge curved nymph hook sizes 8 down to 14 (though I have trouble tying anything smaller than a 1/0) Thread : Olive 3/0 or 6/0 Tail : Olive or Yellow Marabou 4 pieces of yellow or chartreuse Krystalflash Carapace : Rainy's Foam, small round, yellow sliced in half Body : Olive Ostrich herl Legs : Dyed olive Partridge Thorax : Fluff off Dyed Olive Partridge feathers Eyes : Olive or Green glass/plastic bead on mono to form dumbbell
Tying Instructions 1) Lay a bed of thread full length from hook eye to start of bend. 2) Tie in small clump of marabou for tail. Length of clump best half length of hook. 3) Add in 4 strands of Krystalflash to tail. 4) Trim end of split foam to point, tie in by point upside down with foam over tail. 5) Tie in 6 or so Ostrich herl depending thickness. 6) Advance thread to 1/3 of hook from eye. 7) Wrap herl to thread, tie off, trim excess. 8) Stretch foam over herl, tie off firmly (careful not to roll foam around hook, keep on top of hook shaft). 9) Tie in butt first a partridge feather. 10) Dub on the fluff from the base of the partridge feather. 11) Palmer partridge feather over dubbing thorax, tie off trim excess. 12) Stroking partridge feather barbels downwards, cover top with foam. Tying off 3 mm behind hook eye. 13) Tie in at this point the dumbbell glass eyes. 14) Trim foam to form little beak that just covers start of hook eye. 15) Tie off Thread under foam beak. 16) Give thread tying in eyes a little "Hard as Nails" or Flexicement.
Fly Notes I have a braided loop at the end of my fly lines, for quick leader changes. All lines have a little yellow heat shrink tubing to stop the braid loop ends from fraying. The trout at times have hit it, which is why I went for the yellow back on this fly. Your could use olive foam for more sensitive trout. The pattern was based on one I found in a US magazine - American Angler Vol20Num2, 1997- Mar/Apr, p48 by John Shewey. Article name of - Designs on Damsels. The article had some very interesting thoughts on fly design and use, not just for damsels either. It followed my thoughts on the first outing I had to Lake Fyans (not much success but lots of learning curve) and some advice I got from posting a question on a fly fishing chat page about Lake Fyans fly suggestions. Combining it all with the materials I had on hand resulted in my version of the Floating Damsel.
Fishing Notes When seeing the subtle swirls of trout taking rising & hatching damsels. Cast amongst the swirls and watch your fly. If the fishing gods are smiling on you, a tight line will results. I use a 9 -12 foot knotless leader on a floating line. I would suggest a small size attached in tandem with a size 8, if unsure of size being eaten by the trout. Target species mainly Trout, although larger sizes could be easily targeted on Australian Bass.
Location Notes Have mostly used in lakes, edges of weed or around timber, but other applications are possible.
Prey Notes Damsel nymphs.
Tier Richard Carter

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