Good incite, Professori. Exactly the reason I developed this pattern and I can't tell you how many have found their way to the waste basket before this one. Last spring I had four or five variations and this is the final result. If you're going to tie some up, tie some with a 7/64 Orange Hotbead instead of the eyes and when the pregnant shrimp are free swimming, this pattern works great.Originally Posted by professori
Obviously I've never even seen a damsel nymph so I'll take the word of the pro's. I can't wait to see your bugs in the swap John. What hook are you using? I will also be borrowing this pattern.
Fly fishing is not only a method to catch fish, but a state of mind.
Mustad C49S #10
Having never seen a damsel, don't assume this is what they look like but there are similarities. I went about developing an attractor fly to target both damsels and gammarus shrimp. I actually started this pattern while at Tunkwa and seeing the effectiveness of the orange grizzly but just couldn't come up with something I was sold on.
As for the naturals, while swimming the abdomen from behind the thorax to the tip of the tail is wriggling from side to side, almost wildly, trying to get where it's going as quickly as possible. The thorax isn't much more than a swelled extension of the abdomen with a wingcase that extends back over 1/3rd of the abdomen. There is a noticeable gap between the thorax and the head which houses those black beady eyes. Though I've seen some huge damsels, for the most part, the matures are 1.25-1.75".
Last edited by johnk; February 27th, 2010 at 07:37 PM. Reason: More to add
Take a look here.
Bragging may not bring happiness, but no man having caught a large fish goes home through an alley. ~Author Unknown
Perfect! Thanks for that. I saw a couple of damsel nymphs in the store today and one of them was a pretty good impression of the one in the video, including a swiss straw wingcase. Nabbed me one of those to copy as well
In my world, you can never have too many nymphs; although I've spent the last 3 days tying clousers as well.
Fly fishing is not only a method to catch fish, but a state of mind.
So, this morning I got an e-mail from Jack Simpson of Amundson Flyfishing and BC representative for Project Healing Waters. A week ago Jack asked me to develop a pattern for this organization and seeing as The Pulsating Shramsel had already been developed but not yet introduced, I offered it up to PHW but the "powers that be" wanted a pattern developed by a member and preferred a display pattern. Well, I just plum don't tie flies for display! After some deliberation they have changed their minds and have decided to accept my offer which is kind of cool because everyone in the Nymph Swap is already getting one. So if you see The Pulsating Damsel in a flyshop near you, buy lots as the proceeds are going to Project Healing Waters, an organization that teaches flyfishing and tying to retired and injured War Vets.
Congratulations John. I'll find a special place for this fly in my collection.
Bragging may not bring happiness, but no man having caught a large fish goes home through an alley. ~Author Unknown
Hey John, any possibility of a recipe?
It looks fairly easy.
C49 hook as mentioned
marabou tail
beadchain eyes (possibly colored green)
hackle
either chenille or dubbing for the body and I'm going to guess some flashback as the body wrap before covering with clear thinskin or scudback.
Am I close.
Fly fishing is not only a method to catch fish, but a state of mind.
...is that a silver rib I see?
Catch and Release -- into my frying pan!
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