How to Tie a Whitlock Damsel Nymph
You might not think of a fish as a particularly intelligent animal, but they are certainly smart enough to tell a real insect from a poor imitation. Fish rarely eat adult damsel flies; rather, a damsel fly in its early developmental or "nymph" stage is one of the most important foods in the diet of several North American fish. The Whitlock damsel nymph was developed by famed professional fly-fisherman and fly-tier Dave Whitlock and is favored by fly-fishers for use following the damsel fly hatch in mid-summer.
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Things You'll Need
- Fly tying vise
- Mustad 9672 #8 hook
- Olive 6/0 thread
- 2 black pearl beads, 2.5mm
- Cyanoacrylate (CA) glue
- Scissors
- Olive hen feathers
- Olive squirrel dubbing
- Partridge feathers
- Olive Swiss straw
Instructions
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1
Place a Mustad 9672 #8 hook in a fly tying vise so the shank of the hook is sticking out. The shank is the straight portion that runs from the bend of the hook to the eyelet.
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2
Wrap the shank of the hook with olive 6/0 thread beginning 1/5 down the length of the shank from the eyelet. Approximately two layers of wrapping should be sufficient.
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3
Thread olive 6/0 thread through the holes in two 2.5mm black pearl beads and tie them to the hook just behind the eyelet. These beads will represent the nymph's eyes. Place a drop of CA glue between the eyes and allow it to dry for approximately 1 minute.
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4
Tie one olive hen feather at the bend of the string using olive 6/0 thread. Cut the feather to the length of the hook's shank with a scissors. This will represent the nymph's tail.
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5
Wrap a layer of olive dubbing along the shank of the hook with olive 6/0 thread. This will simulate the body of the nymph.
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6
Wrap two lengths of partridge feather to the shank of the hook just behind the eyes with olive 6/0 thread. Spread the feathers outward from the body to mimic wings. Trim the feathers with scissors so they end at the bend of the hook.
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7
Cut a length of olive Swiss straw approximately 1/4 inch wide and 1 1/2 inches long with a scissors. Tie one end of the straw to the shank just behind the eyelet with olive 6/0 thread.
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8
Lay the olive Swiss straw along the shank and tie it down with olive 6/0 thread approximately 1/8 inch behind the eyes. Cut the straw at the loose end halfway down the shank. This will help mimic the thorax and budding wings of the nymph.
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Tips & Warnings
Nymphs change color during the hatch. Observe the local nymphs during the morning and evening to determine when a lighter or darker color best mimics the nymphs.
References
- Photo Credit trout image by michael langley from Fotolia.com
