In this Fly Tying video, Todd Birchby is in our fly tying studio, showing us how to tie his new Umpqua Signature Fly Pattern, the Para Damsel. As the weather warms and runoff slows, look for blue damsels to be flying around slow pools, edges and especially your favorite stillwater spots.
When it comes to stillwater fly fishing, imitating different stages of the damselfly life cycle can be crucial for success. Many anglers focus solely on the nymphal stage, and rightfully so. Damselfly emergence usually takes place from May through mid July, depending on the conditions. To begin the hatch, the nymphs will leave their hiding spots among the weeds and begin to swim toward shore in massive numbers. Trout often key in on this migration, picking off the nymphs before they reach the banks.
So if the nymphal stage is so important, why fish an adult damsel?
Adult damselflies are talented pilots and don’t give hungry trout much of a chance to snatch them. But as they near the end of their life cycle they will often dip their abdomens below the surface film to deposit their eggs. This often results in these blue adult damsels becoming entrapped on the water. Once stuck on the surface of the water, these adult damselflies become an easy meal for cruising trout.
Enter the Para Damsel. Created by longtime fly fishing guide and Umpqua Feather Merchants Signature Tyer Todd Birchby, this fly is an excellent imitation of the blue adult damsels found throughout the western states. Featuring a realistic profile and proportions, the Para Damsel lands and floats on the water just like the real bugs.
“To be honest, I had never tied an adult damsel fly before. I actually had a friend ask me to create a new pattern for him. The Para Damsel was the fly I came up with in the end. I’ve fished this fly in still and moving water. It floats great, but more importantly, it casts great. Most big body dry flies will try to spin and twist the leader when you’re casting them. But this little guy just won’t do that.
I tied two iterations of the Para Damsel. The first I called the ‘Krystal Damsel’ and it didn’t have any wings. It had the same tail, thorax, flash, etc. The team at Umpqua thought it looked great and were getting ready to add it to their catalog. But after showing the fly to my brother, he recommended adding wings for a better-looking profile. So I added the wings and showed the new iteration to Umpqua - they loved the new version even more. And just like that, the Para Damsel was born." - Todd Birchby
Take a look as Todd shows us how to tie his Para Damsel:
MATERIALS LIST
HOOK: Tiemco 2499SP-BLB (Size 12-14)
THREAD: 70 Denier Ultra Thread (Peacock Blue)
POST: McFlylon Poly Yarn (White)
HACKLE: Whiting Dry Fly Hackle (Grizzly)
TAIL: Hareline Adult Damsel Body (Blue)
FLASH: Flashabou (Pearl)
BODY: Razor Foam (Opaque Blue)
RIB: Ultra Wire (Small | Peacock Blue)
WINGS: Swiss Straw (Clear)
EYES: Mono Eyes (Small | Black)
ADHESIVE: Wapsi Water-Based Head Cement
If you would rather buy a few of these great summer time flies, you can find them HERE.
Contact Us With Questions
If you have questions about fly tying or need help getting started, please let us know! If you’re in the Denver area or along the Front Range, stop by and visit us at the fly shop in Littleton. Otherwise, give us a call at 303-794-1104.
