Nymph - Damsel Fly

Gapen Damselfly Nymph

The Gapen Damselfly Nymph imitates damselfly nymphs, slender swimming insects that live in weeds in lakes, ponds and slow water. They swim with a wiggling motion near weed beds and shorelines, and fish feed on them heavily.

Unlike most stream nymphs, a damsel is usually fished with a slow retrieve rather than a dead drift.

At a Glance

• Imitates – Damselfly nymphs
• Sizes – #6, #8, #10, #12, #14, #16 and #18
• Water – Lakes, ponds, backwaters and weedy slow water
• Species – Trout, bass and panfish
• Rigging – Floating or intermediate line, retrieved slowly

Fishing Tips

• Use short, slow strips with pauses along weed edges.
• Work shallow flats and shorelines, where damsels move toward shore.
• Go larger for bass and trout, and smaller for panfish.