On my previous post I discussed some big advantages to carrying a few damselfly patterns in your fly boxes during the summer months. There are over 3000 recorded species of damselflies worldwide in the order Odonata. These waterborne insects have very thin, elongated abdomens and two pairs of wings. The eyes are compound and the hindwings are generally the same size as the forewing. Unlike their dragonfly counterparts they are very gossamer and less aggressive. These are delicate little insects so hopefully I'm doing them justice with this simple and sparse pattern.
Over time I have experimented with foam bodies, detached abdomens, and even moving segments. For the last decade the following pattern is where I have landed on materials and hooks. Take your time with this pattern and it will pay dividends on the water.
fig. 1
I am rendering this pattern using the Hanak 300 BL #14 with a cobalt blue stripped peacock quill. The Hanak 300 is a wonderful hook that I really like because of its wide gape and lovely bend. There is a lot of design and craft that went into developing these little gems but thats another entry I will cover soon.
fig. 2
Using micro knotted pheasant tail legs, tie in a set on either side, extend the legs about two or three hook eye distances beyond the bend of the hook.
fig. 3
Tie in two black CDC feathers mid-shank. This is going to act as a wing case to be folded over as one of the last steps of the pattern.
fig. 4
Tie in black hen tip wings that are roughly the length of the top portion of the hook shank (see below photo) they should splay straight out and canted slightly.
fig. 5
Using Super Fine Dry Fly dubbing create a thorax using criss-cross wraps around hen tips. Build it up neatly this will keep your wings in place and free of any interruptions while executing the final wraps of hackle before folding over the CDC wing Case.
fig. 6
The above photo shows the hackle tied in between the hen tips your first wrap goes behind the wings followed by 2 more criss-cross wraps diagonally between the wings followed by the final wrap in front of the wings. Secure the hackle, now you are ready to finally fold over the CDC wing case!
fig. 7
Pull the CDC feathers forward so they fold over the hackle, don't worry the hackle will splay sideways and this is what you want. secure the CDC with three wraps, finish of the head with a few turns of Superfine Dry Fly dubbing and whip finish.
This pattern takes a little practice if your not use to tying in hen tips, practice on some bare threaded hooks first. I've always used AK Bests method, he taught me way back in the early 90's how to tie in pullet wings now it comes second nature for me.
Thanks for letting me share!