Damselfly Nymph

We continue with Part Two of Damsel Fly. Our general research indicates that the nymph stage of the damselfly is readily available year-round in stillwater pools in our Delayed Harvest waters. The hatch process for damselflies begins at 60 degrees, so imitating an adult is mostly doable during seasonally warm days. However, imitating the damsel nymph may be productive year-round.

Damsel Fly – Part Two – Nymphs

Damselflies are insects in the order Odonata which consists of Anisoptera, the dragonflies and Zygoptera, the damselflies. There are dozens of species of damselfly in North Carolina. Damsel nymphs regardless of species are dark olive, olive, olive-brown, brown or dark brown. Damsel nymphs are 3/4 - 1 1/2 inches in size (size 10 to  18 1xLong nymph hook) and relatively the same shape regardless of species. Tying an olive and a brown damsel nymph fly pattern in an average size will cover the gambit of possibilities in a given pool.
A distinctive element in tying a damsel nymph fly pattern is the addition of small eyes, typically using mono-eyes. Most nymphs have pin-point eyes which are not pronounced enough to give need to imitate
One very important key to determining when to use the damsel nymph is vegetation. If the pool does not have perimeter vegetation or woody debris, it is less likely there are damsel nymphs in the pool. The damselfly is predatory, eating other insects. The emergence occurs on vegetation, rocks or soil, so there is no need for an emerger fly pattern as it would be of no value to the angler.
To fly fish the damsel nymph, the nymph should slowly sink to the bottom near vegetation and remaining place without movement for a brief period. Then, apply very slight jerks that barely move the nymph on the bottom of the pool. If available practice in a pond first and apply great patience.