[whompuscat658]

I tried a wiggle damsel for the first time. Thoughts? The final example in “Charlie’s Fly Box” looks fairly similar but the one that he uses at the beginning for the initial photo looks different. It’s fuller and has a lot more marabou. I made the tail stick out for the photo but it hangs loosely, normally. I feel like this could be a great pattern for many applications, regardless of whether or the real thing is present.

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[Oyey]

I like... I used to tie those, but they took too long for me lol... Anyways, not sure how long that fly is but as long as its in the 1" range, give or take, you're golden. My issue with the wiggle damsel is does it really wiggle.. I mean, it's jointed, but most of the time you fish them pretty slow and I tried stripping the ones I tied with quick strips, and it didn't wiggle.. Not sure if i was doing something wrong or what. the solid body ones tie super fast and they are sexy, so that's all I tie now, but if I could get a little wiggle I would go back to that fly.

 

[whompuscat658]

It’s probably an inch and half. I tied it on two of these...

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[whompuscat658]

I like... I used to tie those, but they took too long for me lol... Anyways, not sure how long that fly is but as long as its in the 1" range, give or take, you're golden. My issue with the wiggle damsel is does it really wiggle.. I mean, it's jointed, but most of the time you fish them pretty slow and I tried stripping the ones I tied with quick strips, and it didn't wiggle.. Not sure if i was doing something wrong or what. the solid body ones tie super fast and they are sexy, so that's all I tie now, but if I could get a little wiggle I would go back to that fly.

Thank you. I appreciate your input.


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[knute]

I tied up a number of them this past summer after experiencing a damsel hatch on a lake with damsel nymphs wiggling everywhere in the water and fish slashing at 'em and I couldn't buy a bite on any damsel nymph immy I had, including one that pretty much looked about the same as the actual damn damsels! Figured the wiggle damsel would mimic the little wigglers better but my observations with it are about the same as Oyey's. Not that I didn't catch fish on them - I did, although on another lake that didn't have a major hatch going on at the time. So . . . not sure what to make from all of this, other than plan to be frustrated by damsel hatches in some circumstances. But anyway, your tie looks good.

 

[CF LURKER]

I dig this video of damsels

 

[knute]

Great video, had seen it some time ago. I haven't figured out how to get my dries to drift 3 inches above the water yet. I'll let everyone know when I get it figured out.

 

[hobiecat]

I think that if you want them to articulate/wiggle, you would need to cut the shaft off just behind the head and the gills and then use a full hook for the body. You would have the joint very close to the front of the fly...wouldn't take much to impart action and the weight of the fly is then in the rear.

Could possibly use an eagle claw snelled bait holder hook for the short shaft..head of the fly...there are barbs at the top of the shank for an anchor point.

Use a loop knot when tying to your tippet. Just a thought.

 

[Oyey]

I definitely use a loop knot with them... I always wanted to create some kind of eyes that look like two spoons.. could tie them facing forward and that would make for resistance.. like two small lips (lips like on traditional lures). The idea of a shorter front section is great.. that paired with my eyes and we may be on to something!

 

[bugz]

What about smashing pistols Pete propeller flat and figure eight tying it in? The smallest ones might work good.

 

[vinnie]

Seen em come out for the adult at Spinney. My fav fly for up there. Thanks for the vid.

 

[SlabSeeker]

It'll work like a charm! They're such strong swimmers I think the articulation makes a huge difference, especially when the waves pick up and are fished below an indicator. When you're on the bank during the "migration" and retrieving them on flat water, that extra movement can entice that discriminating mouth.