Fly Tying - Marabou Damsel

Chris Krueger of Rocky Mountain Fly Design ties an effective marabou damsel (originally - Randall Kaufman). Simple and effective, this fly is easily modified to multiple colors and sizes.
Chris is a Montana Fly Company Signature Designer, and owns Rocky Mountain Fly Design in Fort Collins, CO. He is also a pro team member with Whiting Farms and Regal Engineering.

[@flatswhisperer]

Nice job ! Simple and effective. Thanks for sharing.

[@rockymountainflydesign8149]

Thanks for watching!

[@BallyWho]

Nice tie! Sometimes simple is best. When I watch tying videos on TH-cam it's easy to tell the flies that are tied for the fish vs. the flies that are tied for the fisherman.

[@robertperman8967]

Simple and to the point!! Tight lines🕷️🐛🐜!!!!!

[@lorenirving8230]

Thanks for this video. I particularly enjoy your reference to your Grandad and using this simple pattern. I have seen a couple presentations on the marabou damsel but most don't use this nice long straight eyed hook. I like not having it too complicated with eyes etc as I am lazy and like you infer believe the fish don't care much (we hope). I really like this simple pattern and your presentation. I will be tying up a dozen or so soon as I have a chance in a week to use them on some bruisers. Thanks again

[@jaycallaway7453]

This is a good fly; thank you.

[@rockymountainflydesign8149]

Glad you like it! Thanks

[@edboutdoors3632]

Gorgeous damsel fly man really enjoyed that tutorial keep up the great work

[@rockymountainflydesign8149]

Thanks!!

[@tocayofishing6538]

Great flie thanks for share I can't wait to star to make mine.

[@robbiesflytyingchannel]

Cool video!

[@awflyfishing]

Nice One👏👍

[@misssovereignty7788]

This might be a stupid question but I need to ask.
Are you using this yellow green color because that’s what the young nymph looks like in color before it turns a light blue?
I fish a lake that has a ton of damsel flies and since I might be there before the big hatch, I was interested in a nymph pattern. I usually use chubby Chernobyl with a black foam body and purple accents or beefy segmented light blue damsel/dragonfly patterns as a top water fly and these Westlopes nail them like crazy. So should I use this yellow color of marabou or use a light blue marabou?

[@rockymountainflydesign8149]

Great question and it will help you understand more about the damselfly in different stages. The nymphs are olive, light yellow/olive and tan and then when they hatch they can be either an iridescent blue or green for males and a tan or brown for females. The adults are small and slender to their look alike bigger “cousins” the dragonfly which can also be in those colors (and more) but are significantly more large, chunky and robust.

[@russelllieser4226]

Same home town

[@philstevens6934]

Wouldn't some dumbbell eyes be a good addition?

[@rockymountainflydesign8149]

If I were going to add any they would be monofilament and weightless.

[@philstevens6934]

@@rockymountainflydesign8149 OK, but don't you want the fly to get down deep into the water column?

[@rockymountainflydesign8149]

@@philstevens6934 damsel nymphs live in fairly shallow water surrounding weed beds and reeds. They use these to crawl up and hatch into the adults. The nymphs are pretty neutrally buoyant and are pretty agile swimmers. Imitations should be thrown in and along those shallower weed beds to find trout keying in on them. You could add a copper bead or bead chain eyes to help it sink however anything more would be too much. Try suspending these under an indicator, especially in a stillwater in a little wind chop with a slow finger crawl retrieve. You won’t be disappointed.

[@champtree]

Can you teach us trumpet?

[@ryantherock7664]

Do you find the tail wrapping around the bend of the hook much?

[@rockymountainflydesign8149]

I do not. Make sure your tie in point is correct and your tail length is correct and you shouldn’t have any issues

[@ryantherock7664]

What does the wing represent?