Overview

The Chubby Damsel is a signature pattern from Landon Mayer, tied by Umpqua. It imitates the adult damselfly, a large insect that trout will rise for when it lands on or crashes into the water, especially on windy days.

A slim 2mm foam body floats like a cork, and black synthetic legs mimic the adult. Instead of a second pair of legs, barred flake legs represent the wet wings and act as stabilizers. A poly yarn tuft makes the fly easy to track, and an extended damsel braid tail has a resin-coated tip so it won't fray.

How to Fish It

• Windy days: fish it along weed lines and shorelines when wind is knocking adult damsels onto the water.
• Twitch it: an occasional twitch suggests a struggling adult and can bring fish up.
• Mothership rig: Mayer uses it as an indicator dry with a small leech or damsel nymph pattern hung below.
• Summer: damselflies are most active from early to late summer on lakes and slow rivers.

Choosing Color and Size

Blue matches the bright blue adults common on many lakes. Olive matches olive and tan adults and newly hatched damsels.

Use size 14 for most adult damsels and size 16 for smaller insects or wary fish.