Bodkin / Patterns

Darner Dragonfly Nymph

Nymph · Stillwater · Trout · Intermediate · 1 version

BCFlyguys

  • Hook 3XL streamer hook, 8
  • Thread Olive

Materials

  • Bead chain eyes, medium (1 pair)
  • Mottled chenille Olive chenille (Body and head)
  • Pheasant tail fibres Natural pheasant tail fibers (7-8 per side)

How to tie it

  1. Start olive thread on a size 8 3XL streamer hook and secure medium bead chain eyes. Darner nymphs are big bugs, so do not be shy about the hook length. The 3XL is what carries the profile.
  2. Run the thread to the back and tie in mottled olive chenille.
  3. Wrap the chenille forward, deliberately building a reverse taper. Fatter at the back, thinning as you go forward. That back-heavy shape is the darner silhouette and it is what a fish recognises.
  4. Trim the chenille and tie in seven or eight pheasant tail fibres on each side for the legs, then trim the butts.
  5. Come back in with the same chenille and figure-eight a couple of wraps around the bead chain eyes to build the head, then tie off and trim.
  6. Whip finish. Simple pattern, but the profile, colour and movement all land where they need to.

Tying videos

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