Damsel

[use2wuz]

As above - so below

 

[tomgamber]

Always had WAY more success with damsel nymphs than dries. Particularly on lakes from a float tube.

 

[use2wuz]

Always had WAY more success with damsel nymphs than dries. Particularly on lakes from a float tube.

I’ve never caught a thing on an adult damsel / I don’t think they ever get caught in the film - I sometimes see fish jump for adults on the wing. I agree that nymphs outproduce dries (as seen in the photo) in this insect, but it doesn’t stop me from trying - and to work on some underwater “fish eye” view photography too.

 

[use2wuz]

Always had WAY more success with damsel nymphs than dries. Particularly on lakes from a float tube.

I’ve never caught a thing on an adult damsel / I don’t think they ever get caught in the film - I sometimes see fish jump for adults on the wing. I agree that nymphs outproduce dries for this insect, but it doesn’t stop me from trying - and to work on some underwater “fish eye” view photography.

 

[JerryC]

Nice pictures. I tie damsel flies, but I've never had any luck with the more realistic adult imitations.

However, the sunfish tore these two apart.

Both are tied on size 6 Gamakatsu B10S hooks, but the ones above are about 1/2 the length of the realistic ones. The wings are a material I picked up in a craft store. It has a remarkable resemblance to Polar Chenille.

 

[hooker-of-men]

I am not trying to be pedantic, just get clarification: isn't the primary identifying characteristic of damsel flies that their wings are not in that orientation when at rest? Aren't the adults above dragonflies?

I have often dreamed up dragon / damsel fly patterns when playing around with craft foam, but I never took it all the way because I was unsure of exactly that question of if adults get eaten.

 

[JerryC]

I am not trying to be pedantic, just get clarification: isn't the primary identifying characteristic of damsel flies that their wings are not in that orientation when at rest? Aren't the adults above dragonflies?

That's correct, if they're sitting on something solid. If they're in the water, they're injured or already dead and the wings will spread out. Dragonfly wings are spread out when they're at rest.. There's a size and body difference also. Here's a picture of a couple of my dragon fly patterns.

I'll admit I've never seen a purple one, but I have seen red, green and blue ones. These are tied on size 1 B10S hooks and are about 3 inches long, wing span is about 3 inches which are the size of the larger dragonflies in this area. Even though you see fish jumping for both dragonflies and damselflies they're more likely to take them if they're floating spread wing on the surface. Both the damselflies and the dragonflies are made from craft foam.

 

[hooker-of-men]

Thanks, Jerry!