Fly Tying Barr's Damsel Fly

Fly Fisherman - February 02, 2012

Watch Charlie Craven fly tying the Barr's Damsel.

Damsel Fly:

Hook: TMC 200 #8-14

Thread: Olive 6/0

Eyes: Melted Mono

Tail: Olive marabou

Rib: 3x monofilament

Shellback: Tan Thinskin

Abdomen: Olive dubbing

Legs: Mallard Flank Dyed Olive

Thorax: Olive Dubbing

Tying Barr\'s Damsel Step 1 of 9

$Tying Barr\'s Damsel Step 1 of 9$ Tie on mono eyes about one fourth of the way back from the eye using x-wraps. Bring the thread to the bend of the hook.

Tying Barr\'s Damsel Step 2 of 9

$Tying Barr\'s Damsel Step 2 of 9$ Tie in several strand of marabou for a short tail at the bend. Bring the butt ends of the marabou forward and tie them down again behind the eyes.

Tying Barr\'s Damsel Step 3 of 9

$Tying Barr\'s Damsel Step 3 of 9$ Tie in a ten inch length of monofilament for the rib. Wrap back over the mono to the bend.

Tying Barr\'s Damsel Step 4 of 9

$Tying Barr\'s Damsel Step 4 of 9$ Tie in a tapered strip of Thinskin at the bend of the hook.

Tying Barr\'s Damsel Step 5 of 9

$Tying Barr\'s Damsel Step 5 of 9$ Dub the abdomen with a slight taper to just short of the eyes.

Tying Barr\'s Damsel Step 6 of 9

$Tying Barr\'s Damsel Step 6 of 9$ Tie in a small clump of dyed mallard flank on each side at the front of the abdomen.

Tying Barr\'s Damsel Step 7 of 9

$Tying Barr\'s Damsel Step 7 of 9$ Dub up to and around the eyes, forming a head that extends all the way to the hook eye.

Tying Barr\'s Damsel Step 8 of 9

$Tying Barr\'s Damsel Step 8 of 9$ Pull the Thinskin strip up over the back of the fly and tie it down with a couple tight turns of thread.

Tying Barr\'s Damsel Step 9 of 9

$Tying Barr\'s Damsel Step 9 of 9$ Spiral wrap the rib forward with tight wraps through the abdomen, and wider spacing through the thorax area. Tie the rib off at the eye and clip the excess mono and Thinskin flush. Build a smooth thread head and whip finish.