The "articulating phase" is one we must eventually go through in our natural progression as fly tyers and I went through that years ago. Articulated damsels, leeches, etc. all work but, unfortunately, for the extra work that goes into building articulating flies, the compensation is minimal. If a flyfisher feels more confident fishing articulating patterns then that is what they should, indeed, fish because confidence in a pattern is half the battle to making a pattern successful.
Pulsating Shramsel
I've posted this before but here it is again anyways.
For years I was not happy with any damsel patterns I'd fished or seen and I was looking for a pattern that would provide maximum movement with minimal effort. The answer obviously was either marabou or rabbit and I thought the best way to achieve this was to give the impression of a tail and abdomen pulsating in unison. Last spring the Pulsating Shramsel was born and the dividends paid the first trip out. Subsequently last winter, a friend, who is the BC Director of Project Healing Waters asked me to develop a fly to be put in flyshops as a fundraiser for the charity and this pattern seemed like the natural choice as it had been developed, tried and tested already. The one pictured here is the original but I also tie it with an orange tungsten HotBead. Hope you like.....
Tip For Stripping Damsel Patterns
If righthanded, before your retrieve wet your righthand fingers. Stripping line through pinched thumb and forefinger will create friction depending on how much pinching pressure you apply and will make the tip of the rod dance ultimately making the fly dance. Works great on aggressive fish.
http://www.flyfishbc.com/forums/threads/4806-Extended-body-Damsel
