Bodkin / Patterns

Braided Butt Damsel

Dry Fly · Trout · Intermediate · 1 version

Classic Recipe

  • Hook Standard dry-fly hook, 10-12
  • Thread Olive or to match body 70 denier / 8/0

Materials

  • Extended body Pre-coloured braided nylon backing (blue, olive, tan or red) (extended past the bend)
  • Post/wing Closed-cell foam strip (1 short strip)
  • Hackle Grizzly or blue-dun rooster saddle (1 feather, parachute)
  • Thorax Dubbing to match (small pinch)
  • Eyes Front tip of the foam strip (trimmed) (left short)

How to tie it

  1. Tie in a length of pre-coloured braided nylon at the bend so it projects well past the hook as the slim extended abdomen (blue for mature males, olive/tan for tenerals).
  2. Tie in a short strip of foam at the thorax to form an upright post, and tie in a rooster saddle hackle alongside it.
  3. Dub a thorax around the base of the foam post.
  4. Wind the hackle parachute-style around the foam post, then tie it off.
  5. Bring the foam strip forward over the top and tie it down just behind the eye; trim it short in front to suggest the damsel's eyes.
  6. Whip finish and add a drop of cement.

Tying videos

← All fly patterns