How to Fish With a Damselfly

Landing fish is just one part of the fly fishing experience. Fly fishing is a puzzle with the pieces being what fly to use, how to fish the fly and what species you are fishing for. Damselflies are similar to dragonflies, but the damselfly has the ability to fold its wings in toward the body. Damselfly flies for fishing mimic the damsel fly in both emerging and nymph stages. Because damselflies rank as the third most important food source for trout, the fly makes a good choice when fishing areas where damselflies hatch.

Things You'll Need

  • Fly fishing rod and reel
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Instructions

    • 1

      Look around the fishing area to see if the damselflies are emerging (coming out of the nymph stage and flying) or in nymph stage. Check shoals, deep pockets and drop-offs.

    • 2

      Make your fly fishing cast to get the damselfly out and let it drop near the bottom. Pull the fly up and back in two-inch increments. As damselflies emerge, they crawl up from the bottom and onto the shore. Keep the fly near the bottom to attract trout waiting for the nymph movement.

    • 3

      Fish the damselfly during autumn when the hatches are at a minimum for other insects. Trout are ready to go after familiar food sources when other sources are scarce. Fish downstream and drop the damselfly between six inches and one foot below the trout. Use the two-inch drop and jerk method to attract the trout to strike.

    • 4

      Fish in the spring using damselflies near large vegetation beds. Vegetation means oxygen, which in turn makes a healthy area for the damselflies to hatch. Trout wait near the vegetation because of the hatches and the increase in oxygen. Use the jerk and drop method.