Marabou Dragon

Here is the dragonfly nymph pattern that I fish most often – this version is designed to imitate dragonfly crawlers (Family: Aeshnidae).

Hook: 3XL #8

                        Thread: 6/0 brown

                        Abdomen: brown angora yarn under-body, brown marabou over-wing

                        Thorax: brown chenille, medium

                        Legs: rubber hackle, mottled brown/burnt orange

                        Eyes: black or brown beads on heavy monofilament

When the marabou gets wet it slicks back forming a nicely tapered abdomen that looks very similar to the naturals; it also undulates enticingly as the fly is worked – in a way that only marabou can. The legs and eyes are two other important features that play a key role in triggering trout to strike.

To create the eyes, thread two beads on a short section of heavy monofilament (#60 to #80 test). The ends are melted by holding the tip of the line just close enough to an open flame to get it to melt into a small ball that prevents the beads from falling off. Once complete, there should be a space between the beads to facilitate attachment to the hook.

I also tie a short, stubby olive version on a 2XL hook with a shorter marabou over-wing to imitate members of the families Libellulidae and Corduliidae. Since this version is fished right on the bottom, I tie it upside-down – resulting in the hook point facing up.

For ideas on how to fish this pattern see my post on Sprawlers and Crawlers.