Here is a variant of the Damsel Fly that may be of interest to some fishermen. It's tied with a Bead Chain and fished with the hook bend riding up to reduce snags while fishing it on the bottom. Seems to work well for us this time of year. COAF Damsel Fly.

Thanks for sharing.

Simple and potent. Nice pattern!

Thanks moonriver and rrhnye56! Getting ready to tie one in a size 12; going to see how it works on Bluegill and Sunfish. Hope to give an update later today.

Nice, keep us posted
Mike

Slow start today but did manage to hook a few Bass, Bluegill, Sunfish, Longear Sunfish. No Bruisers but did lose one Size 12 COAF Damsel Fly to a decent Bass that broke the line. Then, lost the other fishing fly to a snag. Going to tie more to re-fill the fly box. Today's Video

Very nice!

Thanks moonriver!

Good thing I tied a couple more in Size 12. Ended up being the only fishing fly that worked for me today... caught three Bass from the Catch and Release Ponds at Plano East Senior High School. Fun stuff...! All went for a COAF Damsel Fly. Today's Video.

I tie something similar to this. I really didn't know what to call it. But mine is tied more sparsely, and catches the heck out of sunfish. Bead chain eyes about 1/3 way back. Tie in marabou feather as tail. wrap the rest of the marabou feather up the hook shank as dubbing. tie it off and cement head. Takes a few minutes to tie, and the perch can't leave it alone. You can add copper wiring in the opposite direction to make it a little more sturdy.

swalker,
That's the one I tie. I really want to try this one, tho.

Kirk

I will try to tie one this way.

A good tutorial for the Marabou Damsel nymph:
FAOL Marabou Damsel

Kirk

Not able to make it out today but did make a few COAF Damsel Flies... went with purple marabou. Hope to try them soon!

Fished the purple marabou COAF Damsel Fly Friday evening. Looked like it worked; caught Bass, Bluegill, Sunfish, and even a Crappie. Lost two of the four tied the other day; both to break-offs. Gotta try heavier tippet next round.

That's very cool video.
What fly line are you using? Thanks.

Thanks moonriver! Used a Five Weight Fly Rod/Reel with a Weight Forward 6 weight floating fly line. The rod seems to balance better one line size up.

Did go back out again this morning; caught more Bass, Bluegill, and Sunfish. Only problem is I am down to one Olive COAF Damsel Fly. Gave one away to another fisherman; hope it helps him catch a Bass or two.

Going to tie more later today to re-stock the fly box; this time going back to the size 10 hooks. Here is this morning's video....

Tied more COAF Damsel Flies. Used purple marabou and a size 10 hook, and then used red tying thread instead of olive on a couple of them. Not sure if it made a difference but did get eight Bass to take it at Bethany Lakes this afternoon!

Nothing like catching fish on flies you tied yourself.

Thanks rrhyne56, agree... lotta fun!

Looks like the Purple COAF Damsel Fly in Size 10 is working! Put on rain gear and went fishing; caught a nice sized Catfish and several Bass. Big news is the one that got away; almost took the line to the backing. Fought it briefly and then the leader broke... a heart breaker but did get some of the action on video!

More Catfish as well as other fish on the Purple COAF Damsel Fly. They put up a good fight especially on the four weight fly rod!

Hoping for a repeat of yesterday with the purple COAF Damsel Fly. Today, caught Bass. No Bruisers but still a fun time! Today's Video.

Managed four fish this round. Three went for a Purple COAF Damsel Fly. Other one was a Catfish that went for a Tube Damsel Fly!

Nice video!

Questions: how far do you have to cast? And what's the reason you stay far away from the shore line?

Thanks moonriver!

Question: how far do you have to cast?
Not far since the fish tend to the undercut banks. I brought a Switch Rod to practice casting. Still working on learning to cast it well.... but a cast can easily make it past the backing (about 90' plus).

Question: And what's the reason you stay far away from the shore line?
Fish tend to the undercut banks.

One potential solution is to cast as far down the shoreline from your position as possible.

Fshng84, I'm a newbie and still learning so this may be a stupid question. Have you ever tried using dumb bell eyes or something besides gold, silver and lead beads? The reason why I ask is I have no success with gold and silver bead head flies on bass, only bluegill. I have had success with other files such as clousers and borski bonefish slider with different colored eyes or wooley buggers without the bead.

I have used dumb bell eyes with success. Mainly use them when I want the fly to sink quicker. I use the bead chain more often this time of year because it will sink the fly at a slower rate and helps keep it from fouling with the algae that is growing like crazy.

I do, and with the switch rod using a switch cast, can really parallel the shoreline with distance.

Thanks, learned something new. The bead chain basically bridges the gap in weight between a weightless fly and one with dumb bells. Are there painted bead chains that hold their color and don't peel off? I have issues with the painted dumb bell eyes and someone suggested Pseudo for those.

And Yeah some of the ponds down here are just unfishable there is so much vegetation in them. Completely taken over.

There are painted bead chains available. A quick google search shows several places to shop.... one is Jann's Netcraft. Have shopped from them in the past with no issue. But, for bead chain, I normally go to Home Depot and get the bead chain for ceiling fans. If I want to paint them, I use Pro-Tec Powder Paint to change the color. But, for the most part, mainly use them in silver and gold "as is".

Shopping on eBay can bring up all sorts of tying goodies. There are plenty of online shops. Or just get some matte paint and daub them

Caught three Bass that went for COAF Damsel Fly. Works well sight casting to Bass in their Beds. Just be sure to bring polarized glasses! Today's Video.

Brought the five weight fly rod and more COAF Damsel Flies. This time, added a little white marabou so we can see it a little better in the water.

Had a number of Bass ignore the COAF Damsel Fly, had two others consider it but did not strike, and had three that went for it! Fun stuff! Today's Video

... went with a purple and white COAF Damsel Fly that we tied several weeks ago.

That was the ticket with three Bass caught this round. Got video of two; camera battery died by the third Bass. Did get a picture of it though! Today's Video.

Slow go this time but did manage to catch a Catfish using a COAF Damsel Fly. Today's Video.

Action was slow but steady with several Sunfish caught using a COAF Griffith's Gnat, and then one Bass on a Near Deere, and six Bass that went for a COAF Damsel Fly. No Bruisers but still good to get out on a nice Sunday morning! Today's Video. Liking the simple but effective COAF Damsel Fly pattern!

Tied a few fishing flies for the weekend. Had not tied a COAF Damsel Fly in awhile; sure could have used one at the local pond today! Post. Tied two in purple as well as some Near Deere.

Bass went for Damsel Flies this round! Today's Video.

Tied more Damsel Flies and fished this evening. Caught five Bass this round. Today's Video.

That fly can get a bite! Well done!

Thanks kicking back! It worked today in red too... for Bass and Catfish! Today's Video.

Question on how we tied the red damsel fly; made a short video! COAF Damsel Fly.

Purple Damsel Fly worked for three bass this round today. Was not planning on fishing but there was a break in the rain. Video.

Caught several bass and bluegill this morning; looks like the Bass still like the Purple Damsel Fly; fun time fishing on a Sunday morning! Video Post.

Fun stuff fishing a pond this morning; damsel fly was key this round! Caught and released 11 Bass... Video Post.

Quick tie of the COAF Damsel Fly in purple. Easy tie but effective especially on bedding bass! Variant of the original pattern that used three marabou plumes. This one uses only two plumes but still is tied clouser style. Quick Tie - COAF Damsel Fly.

Variant of the Damsel Fly... this one uses two Purple Marabou Plumes and bead Chain eyes but ride with the plumes while the beadchain sits on the bottom... key is to tie the plumes further back along the shank.

Purple Marabou and Orange Thing...

Mixing it up this round with two of our passions - #ukuleletime and #flytying ...watched the move - "The Mule" directed and starring Clint Eastwood! Liked the song by Toby Keith - "Don't Let the Old Man In". Decided to add it to a quick tie video of the Damsel Fly Variant we used the other day to catch bass at a local pond! Mix It Up... #ukuleletime and #flytying ...Damsel Fly Pattern