Dragonfly nymphs are an important food source for warm water fish, especially members of the sunfish family (including bass). Dragonfly larva are predatory insects that feed other aquatic life forms, including other insects, tadpoles, and even small fish. Any insect capable of making a meal out of a fish will not be a dainty affair. Dragonfly nymphs are big, burly insects.  

Dragonfly nymphs are ambush predators, and because of this, they are seldom found far from cover. This concealment can be weeds, tree roots, and other detritus on the bottom. Therefore, to fish dragonfly nymphs effectively, you need to present the fly close to the vegetation or lake bottom where these insects dwell.

Fishing a weighted fly close to the bottom with either a floating or sinking line often results in many hang-ups and snags. Fishing a floating fly on a sinking line is a better solution. The sinking line can pass through obstacles without hanging up, and the floating fly can be fished above the bottom and aquatic vegetation.  

Getting everything to work perfectly takes a little finagling as you need to adjust your leader length to present the fly at the correct depth. Other factors to consider are the fly line density used (how fast it sinks) and the amount of buoyancy in the fly. I try to use the lightest line to get the fly to the bottom at the depth I am fishing and add as much buoyancy into the fly pattern as possible.

The Floating Dragonfly Nymph is a perfect pattern to use for the sinking line technique. While not an original pattern per se, this pattern takes attributes from a few of my favorites and combines them in one design. Use the techniques used in this pattern as a stepping-off place and experiment with colors and textures of various materials to create a fly that mimics the insects in your local area. With over 2800 species worldwide and 316 found in the US alone, there are many dragonfly nymphs to imitate. Add damselflies, a close cousin to the dragonfly, to the mix, and we are looking at over 5000 species worldwide and 450 species in the United States.

Dragonfly larvae (nymphs) are usually drab in color, with six legs, large eyes, and wing buds on their back. Unlike damselflies, their gills are located inside the rectum (gills on damselflies extend from the hindquarters of the insect in the form of three leaf-like tails). They breathe by drawing water in and out of their hind end. Dragonflies can move quickly through the water by forcefully expelling this water in the form of jet propulsion. 

The extendable lower jaw of the dragonfly is large and shaped like a scoop and covers most of the bottom of the head. When a suitable meal passes close by their hiding place, the dragonfly’s jaw quickly extends and grabs its prey, drawing it into its mouth, promptly devouring it. 

Dragonfly nymphs can range from 1/4 inch to 2 1/2 inches in length. A 2 1/2 inch fly is quite a meal for a bluegill and large enough to attract the attention of larger fish like largemouth bass. When tying your dragonfly nymph patterns, try to match the size and color of the insects in your area. The fly I am demonstrating here imitates one of the larger varieties commonly found in my neck of the woods.

Pattern Recipe: Floating Dragon Fly Nymph

Hook:  3x long nymph/streamer hook (A size 6 shown, this will result in a fly just over an inch long. Size your hook up or down accordingly to match the size of the nymph you wish to imitate.)

Thread:  Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread 6/0 Black

Underbody:   2mm flat foam

Body: Dubbing in the color of choice

Rib:  Semperfli Dirty Bug Yarn in a contrasting color

Wing Buds:  Semperfli Worm Chenille (use Semperfli Ultrafine Suede Chenille for smaller versions)

Legs:  Silicon or rubber legs in the shade of choice

Collar:  Dyed pheasant rump feather (olive shown)

Eyes: Strip of Semperfli 4.5mm foam

If you would like to see how this pattern is tied I will be demonstrating the pattern on a Facebook Live Event on the Panfish On The Fly Facebook Group. Once the video has been posted to the group’s page I will provide a link below.