Can’t make this stuff up! Some things are better left unknown don’t you think? So, while this ugly predator (well, Lasiognathusamphirhamphus) fishes blind with the same old ‘fly, let me suggest you get ready for the damsel flies on your  favorite stillwaters. I have had great success with a couple of patterns that are simple to tie. The Georgi’s Damsel and Cope’s Damsel. (click on upper L pic and enlarge for nice details).

Georgi’s Damsel is a ginger colored damsel pattern. I ran into Georgi on Leighton Lake in BC. She and her husband, Neal, own the Logan Lake Flyshop in Logan Lake, BC just south of Leighton and Tunkwa lakes. She shared her pattern with me and represented this as an immature ‘instar’ of the damsel nymph explained to me the various stages of a damsel nymph’s development. Apparently go through a molting process and in the immature process they are sometimes a lighter color. The damsel nymph have gill like,  respirtory devices at the end of the abdomen. We would call this the tail for flytying purposes. Usually feather/hackle fibers or marabou are used for this portion the fly to suggest movement. Perhaps ostrich feathers of a smaller size would be good here for the breathing gills/’tail’. This has been a good little fly for me and I have left it as Georgi initially presented it.

The Cope’s Damsel is sleeker and more static in materials used, but this has been very productive from BC to Oregon. Fished toward the shoreline’s reeds or retrieved toward the shore (remember the damsels are slowly swimming beneath the surface toward objects to climb above the surface). This pattern was originated by Jim Cope. Remember Cope’s Callibaetis? I tie this in medium brown and green. Both are equally productive. The only thing I (well not the only thing, but I should say one thing) wonder is if the color for the immature nymph is of less value to you as the fish key on mature ’emerging’ nymph, which are probably darker (like Cope’s pattern).

I believe tying the Georgi’s in a variety of vegetation colors and the Cope’s to match that same camo theme will cover it all. Match the veg!  I have included other experimental patterns for damsels that work. The Georgi Damsel and the Cope’s Damsel as well as these other patterns work. I have tied patterns that combine both qualities of Georgi’s Damsel and the Cope’s. Some I have tied a bit too thick and may be better suited for small dragons. You’ve got the patterns, but pay attention to the presentation as well. Where do they live as a nymph at? What do they feed upon? How do they swim? How do they ‘hatch’?  Below are ‘spooning’ damsels. A Georgi Damsel and a Cope Damsel, but with a marabou tail. 

OK, I was so impatient to post today. I took these shots outside in morning light hence the shadows. I was too impatient to wait for the high noon as it is frigging hot outside and well as I said impatient.    

http://www.ariverneversleeps.com/showsell/ads/client15.html  (access to contact information for Georgi and Neal’s shop in Logan Lake, B.C……still don’t have a weblog/website!?!)  (July 2, 2008: per Georgi’s comments~See Comments Section for excellent advice~ their shop is no more…but, I am sure their positive spirit carries on. Her excellent fly carries on.  Thank you, Georgi and best wishes to you and Neil.    

https://swittersb.wordpress.com/2008/08/19/brian-okeefes-wisdom-positive-and-vital/ (worth reading for a view of the sport’s many faces)