Far Bank Enterprises

RIO's Morrish Level Headed Damsel

$67.99

Affiliate disclosure: Some product links are affiliate links. Tackle.net earns from qualifying purchases.

Description

I have always seen the damsel fly nymph as one of the harder insects to imitate. First, anglers must let go of the concept or illusion that they can imitate their swimming motion, as that is essentially impossible. They simply wiggle laterally way too much for any material or retrieve to even get in the ballpark. Yet most existing patterns cling to the marabou tail, and thus design-fail twice, as marabou tails don't move as desired, and they do a very poor job a mimicking the the damsel fly nymph's distinctive slender profile. So, since the motion is essentially impossible to mimic, the Morrish Level Headed Damsel doubles down on the elements that can be imitated. First is the thin, elegant profile including the distinct fanned-out triple tail. Also important are the long slender legs and the large dark eyes. Finally is creating a truly balanced fly that sit slightly head-up in a horizontal plane. This fly took 15 design iterations to get right, and while it can be cast and retrieved, it is at its most deadly when suspended under a dry or indicator in modest chop.

Specifications

Category

Nymphs

Target Species

trout

Techniques

casting, finesse

Water Column

subsurface

Action

subtle drift

Conditions

clear water, open water

Field Notes

This is a damsel fly nymph pattern designed for freshwater trout fishing. It is most effective when suspended under a dry fly or indicator in modest chop, and it can also be cast and retrieved when fish are actively feeding on nymphs.

Pros

  • Balanced profile that rides slightly head-up
  • Realistic damsel nymph silhouette and tail shape
  • Effective under an indicator or dry fly

Cons

  • Not designed to imitate swimming motion closely
  • May be less effective in very calm water if fish are keyed on surface insects

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get weekly insights with new lure drops, trending baits, expert videos, and personalized AI recommendations based on what you search and save.