Deep Water Damsel Fly

The Deep Water Damsel is an exceptional pattern for targeting Trout in still waters! Its design features make it well-crafted for both durability and effectiveness. Here’s a breakdown of why this fly is so successful:

Key Features and Their Benefits:

1. Tungsten Beads:
   • Rapid Sink Rate: These beads help the fly to sink quickly, allowing it to reach deeper waters where trout often reside. This is particularly useful in still waters and when fish are not actively rising.
   • Consistent Presentation: The quick sinking action ensures that the fly maintains its intended depth and presentation.
2. Floating and Intermediate Fly Lines:
   • Versatility: Using floating and intermediate fly lines enables you to cover different depths effectively. Floating lines are ideal for shallow waters or when you need to keep the fly just below the surface, while intermediate lines are great for targeting mid-depth zones.
   • Adaptability: This versatility is crucial when fishing in unfamiliar waters or when conditions change making the Deep Water Damsel the ideal pattern for most occasions.
3. Olive-Yellow and Brown Variations:
   • Seasonal Adaptation: The olive-yellow coloration works well across most seasons, making it a reliable choice for various conditions. The brown variation for winter in the Eastern Cape highlights the fly’s adaptability to seasonal changes and regional preferences.
4. Heavy Barbless Hook (RFF N1):
   • Durability: The heavy barbless hook ensures that the fly hook remains intact even when targeting large fish, such as 10-pounders as well as reducing damage to these trophy fish. This added strength helps prevent the hook from bending or straightening under pressure.

Fishing Tips:

• Retrieve Techniques: Experiment with different retrieve speeds and patterns to mimic the natural movement of a damsel fly. Trout can be quite selective, so varying your retrieve might entice more strikes.
• Depth Control: Adjust your line and retrieve to ensure that the fly is presented at the right depth. In still waters, trout can often be found at specific depths depending on the time of day and water temperature.
• Observation: Pay attention to any visible insect activity or trout behavior. Matching the fly’s action and appearance to what you observe in the water can significantly increase your chances of success.
• Spawning Times: Orange is a highly effective trigger for Trout during the winter months when our local Trout goes into spawn and pre-spawn. Orange is the colour of their eggs and often results in a strike when fishing a fly with a hot spot/orange coloration.

Overall, the Deep Water Damsel seems to be a versatile and robust fly pattern designed to handle a range of conditions and target various sizes of trout. It’s great to hear that it performs well across different scenarios in South Africa!

Materials: (create your own)

• Premium quality marabou
• 3.5mm tungsten bead
• CDC collar
• Gold 0.1mm wire
• Green wing case
• 160D orange tying thread
• Solarez UV glue
• RFF Extra-fine ice dubbing (dark peacock)