How to Tie a Damsel Fly

The damsel fly is a common insect in lakes and slow moving rivers. The insect is often confused as a small dragonfly because of the long abdomen. The damsel is smaller than the dragonfly and the wings are held upright while resting. The nymph and adult stages are important for fly anglers but the nymph is more common and abundant for the fish. Nymph colors vary but brown and olive are the most common. The damsel typically hatches in July and provides a large protein source for trout, bass, panfish and birds.

Things You'll Need

  • Vise
  • 6/0 olive thread
  • Black bead chain eyes
  • Olive marabou
  • Instant glue
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Instructions

    • 1

      Secure the hook in the vise and begin the thread at the hook eye. Place the black bead chain eyes on the hook with a small gap between the eyes and the hook eye. Make 10 figure-eight thread wraps around the eyes to secure them on the hook.

    • 2

      Wrap the thread to the hook bend. Cut a small clump of marabou from a feather. Dip your fingers in water and stroke the marabou. The wet fibers are much easier to control. Measure the marabou tips to match the length of the hook shank. Hold the marabou on the bend and make 10 thread wraps to secure the tips as a tail. Cut the base of the marabou fibers off the hook.

    • 3

      Cut a second clump of marabou from the feather. Stroke the fibers with wet finger tips and trim the tips to create an even edge. Hold the edge on the hook bend and make 10 wraps to secure the marabou. Wrap the thread to the hook eye.

    • 4

      Wrap the marabou around the hook shank until you reach the eye. Make subsequent wraps to cover the entire hook with the material. Make 10 thread wraps at the eye to secure the marabou. Fold the butt fibers forward, pointing towards the hook bend. Make an additional 10 wraps to secure them in place.

    • 5

      Place a small drop of instant glue on the thread at the eye. Wait one minute for the glue to cure and cut the thread off the hook.