Bodkin / Patterns

Dreaded Damsel

Nymph · Trout · Intermediate · 1 version

Reference Recipe

  • Hook 2XL curved nymph shank, 10-12
  • Thread olive 70 denier

Materials

  • Bead Black or copper slotted tungsten bead (slotted tungsten, 3.0mm (optional))
  • Tail Olive ostrich herl (marabou tuft)
  • Body Olive ostrich herl (Rabbit Dreads rope)
  • Rib Copper thorax stripe (small wire)
  • Legs Olive emu feather (partridge or hen)
  • Thorax Olive ostrich herl (dubbing)

How to tie it

  1. Mount the hook and start olive thread; if using a bead, seat it at the eye first.
  2. Tie in a slim tuft of olive marabou at the bend for the tail, no longer than half a shank, since damsels have short wiggly tails.
  3. Bind in the copper wire, then tie in the olive Rabbit Dreads rope.
  4. Wrap the body forward over the rear two-thirds of the shank, keeping it thin and tapered.
  5. Counter-rib with 5-6 open turns of copper wire and break it off.
  6. Sweep a few olive partridge fibers back along each side for legs and pinch them in place.
  7. Dub a small olive thorax to the eye, whip finish and cement.

Tying videos

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