Burk’s Damsel Nymph
![Burk's Damsel Nymph](https://flyfishingthesierra.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/burkdamnym11.jpg)
Burk’s Damsel Nymph
Tying Instructions
Materials
to Order Material, click the link |
|
---|---|
Hook | TMC 9300 #10-12 |
Thread | Danville Olive 6/0 |
Eyes | Small Mono eyes |
Body | Olive Ultra Chenille |
Tail | Olive Marabou |
Thorax | Mottled Nymph Blend, Golden Stone |
Wingcase | Dark Turkey Tail |
![](https://flyfishingthesierra.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/damselnymph.jpg)
![Andy Burk](https://flyfishingthesierra.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/burk.jpg)
Andy Burk
Burk’s Damsel Nymph
Designed by Andy Burk. Andy is a Sierran guide with a number of excellent nymph patterns. This one is a favorite. It is simple and effective. Make sure you use Vernille or Ultra Chenille for the abdomen as regular Chenille will loose its fuzz quickly. Micro sizes are now available to enable you to tie this pattern in smaller hook sizes.
Sierra Damsel
Andy made another variation to this pattern in 2004, which he called his “Sierra Damsel”. He ties the Sierra Damsel in both Olive and Ginger. The wingcase is a pair of Turkey Biots which are anchored at the base of the thorax with the tips extending halfway along the abdomen. The thorax is Antron Sparkle Dubbing with a pair of Krystal Flash pieces added for legs.
This results in a sleeker appearance and gives some attractor flash to the body with the Antron and Krystal legs. The biots are pulled over the back for a wingcase and anchored beneath the mono eyes. The biots are then drawn over the eyes axis to resemble a thoracic segment and trimmed. Using Turkey Biots gives the wingcase much more durability. Note also that Andy is utilizing a larger wide gap nymph hook. This will result in better hook-ups following a quick hook set strike.
Habitat and Hatch
Damsel nymphs is an important fly choice within the Sierra, especially in June and July. The nymphs are predator’s that reside within the weedbeds of lakes . They feed upon other insects and crustaceans. When they are ready to emerge, the nymphs need to migrate to the nearest shoreline or crawl onto anything the emerges from the water. Usually this migration will occur in the morning and late afternoon hours and the trout will key upon them. They have a undulating method of movement, so retrievals should be slow or non-existent but always give the fly some movement. Work the edges of the weed beds.
Variations
![Burk's Damsel Nymph, Tan](https://flyfishingthesierra.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/burkdamnym12.jpg)
Burk’s Damsel Nymph, Tan
Hook | TMC 9300 #14-16 |
Thread | Danville Tan 6/0 |
Eyes | Small Mono eyes |
Body | Tan Micro Ultra Chenille |
Tail | Crawdad Orange Marabou |
Thorax | Gray Olive Simi Seal Dubbing |
Wingcase | Dark Turkey Tail |
![Burk's Sierra Damsel Nymph, Olive](https://flyfishingthesierra.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/burkdamnymvar1.jpg)
Burk’s Sierra Damsel Nymph, Olive
Hook | TMC 2499SP-BL #12 |
Thread | Danville Olive 6/0 |
Eyes | Small Olive Mono eyes |
Body | Olive Micro Ultra Chenille |
Tail | Olive Marabou |
Thorax | Medium Olive Antron Dubbing |
Wingcase | Olive Turkey Biot |
Legs | Olive Krystal Flash |