Dragon flies

[Streammagic237]

I was recently on a very mosquito infested section of Chester creek and noticed a ton of dragon flies . Can anyone tell me if this is a blue dasher or another type ? I had one eat a mosquito mid bit off my arm and had to smile at this helpful little hunter . I have heard stories of trout eating them, but never saw it in person .

 

[lars]

i think that's a type of damsel fly - possibly a male rainbow bluet

 

[dc410]

It is a species of damselfly. The common name is Ebony Jewelwing. Neat bugs!

 

[tomgamber]

I have had success with damsel fly nymphs in still water for trout and panfish.

 

[dryflyguy]

I fished a few places this past month, and saw a few damsel flies flying over the water a bit.
With an occasional heavy splash by the fish - although I never actually saw them eat one.
But there was nothing else on the water at all
And thinking that was what they were taking.
Had none on me then But plan on heaving a few with me next time out.

I have seen fish eating them on the Firehole River in Yellowstone

 

[lars]

there are times on the Delaware when the smallies are jumping all over the place for hovering damsels. I haven't figured out a good imitation for a bug six inches above the surface, but i can generally catch on top water patterns if i cast around where i saw one leap for a damsel.

 

[Bamboozle]

I never presented a damsel or dragonfly imitation to a trout, but I've caught many a bass and sunfish on them.

My go to patterns all utilize braided butt material for an abdomen and foam for the thorax.

 

[Mike]

there are times on the Delaware when the smallies are jumping all over the place for hovering damsels. I haven't figured out a good imitation for a bug six inches above the surface, but i can generally catch on top water patterns if i cast around where i saw one leap for a damsel.

A top water pattern works best when it imitates a damsel in distress.

 

[Steven]

Neversink skater

 

[Bamboozle]

A top water pattern works best when it imitates a damsel in distress.

Like this?

 

[lars]

A top water pattern works best when it imitates a damsel in distress.

i like this one

 

[Streammagic237]

i like this one

View attachment 1641252526 View attachment 1641252527

That's a very neat looking pattern , like the 2 different colors of blue .

 

[tomgamber]

Gurglers rock.

 

[lars]

thanks. it's a blue version of a fly called a donuthin'. i call it a bluenuthin'.

 

[falcon]

Hewitt's Neversink Skater. The oversized stiff hackle is hard to find, CDL might work. Bouncing may work better than skating. I beleive Hewitt used the pattern to imiatate butterfly behavior.

 

[Bamboozle]

Hewitt's Neversink Skater. The oversized stiff hackle is hard to find, CDL might work. Bouncing may work better than skating. I beleive Hewitt used the pattern to imiatate butterfly behavior.

I have some old necks almost devoid of regular hackle feathers that I saved just for the spade hackle that isn't found on newer necks.

That hackle is what I use for skaters/spiders.

I think if you asked him, Bill Skilton (Skilto on eBay) will hook you up with necks having good "skater" hackle.

 

[td566]

I can almost hear the mosquitoes in your stream pic. Awesome that you saw that damselfly eat right off your arm!

 

[Streammagic237]

I can almost hear the mosquitoes in your stream pic. Awesome that you saw that damselfly eat right off your arm!

Absolutely , 2 steps into the woods I turned around for the bug spray and doused myself . I saw a YouTuber and she clips a fake dragon fly to a little spring on her hat and says it keeps the mosquitos away , I can't speak to its effectiveness and while a very neat idea I think I look enough like a yuppie some days that clip on insects might be a bit much 🤣