Damselfly Nymph

Wrap thread onto the hook shank from about 1mm behind the eye to the start of the hook bend. Tie in 2 strands of ostrich fibers by making two loose wraps followed up with 3 to 5 tight wraps. Continue with additional tight wraps right to the base of the tail. Tie in fine gold wire at the tail's base with 5 tight wraps.

Tie in about 6 pheasant tail fibers at back of thorax with 4 or 5 tight wraps. Wind ostrich herl evenly to form abdomen and thorax. In the thorax section double wind the herl to increase the thickness.

Tie off herl with 4 or 5 tight thread wraps. Rib the fly's abdomen and thorax by winding the fine wire throughout each. Tie off with 4 or 5 tight thread wraps and trim away excess herl and wire.

Fold over the pheasant tail fibers and secure with 4 or 5 tight wraps. Trim away the excess herl.

Select hackle for size and stiffness. Expose base by gently stripping fibers. Tie in base with two loose winds followed up with 3 to 5 tight winds. Convex side of hackle faces the fly's body

Evenly wrap hackle with 2 turns and secure with 4 or 5 tight wraps. If hackle is short or difficult to grasp use a hackle pliers, otherwise use your thumb and forefinger. Either trim away excess or pull backwards and break stem off at windings.

It's an option to add black mono eyes. Whip finish head with 4 to 8 turns. Pull tag end firmly and cut off excess thread. Place a drop of head cement on knot and allow it to penetrate both the thread base and hackle stems.

This is an effective pattern that not only looks like a real damselfly but acts like one. It has accounted for many a large trout and even a 6 pound smallmouth bass. I slowly fish it in a stop and go retrieve directed towards the shoreline.