Paul's Horny Damsel

By Gary Lewis

Vulnerability. That’s what makes this pattern a winner. Grease up this double damsel imitation with floatant and set it down in front of a greedy trout and he’s going to think he’s looking at a two-for-one dinner plate special. Stillwater trout begin seeing hatches of damsels in June. Carry nymph, adult and consenting adult imitations in case the fish are feeding on the surface.

Watch for damselflies on the surface and when the trout start splashing, tie on Paul’s Horny Damsel.

Tie this pattern with black thread on a No. 10 extra fine dry fly hook. For the tail, use stiff braided line. Use white Slinky Flash for the wing and build a thorax of hare’s mask to anchor the wing. A small bead can be employed to hold the wing. Tie in a pair of black mono eyes and a sparse grizzly hackle behind the eyes. Tie down the second tail at the front then again at the back. Anchor the next wing close to the front with electric blue dubbing and optional bead. Tie in mono eyes and wrap a grizzly hackle through the eyes. Color and segment the tails with markers to complete the effect.

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