Dragonfly Nymphs: The Big Meal Bass & Trout Love

Description

Dragonflies are the aerial predators of the insect world. Large, fast, and agile, they hunt other insects on the wing. For the trout, both the chunky, ugly nymphs and the massive adults represent a huge protein payout. Fishing dragonfly patterns is often a "big fish" game, particularly in lakes and ponds where they are most abundant. Unlike delicate mayflies, dragonflies require aggressive presentations and sturdy tackle.

Life Cycle Stages

Nymph

The nymph is short, stout, and "spider-like." It looks nothing like the adult. They are muddy brown or olive green. Jet Propulsion: While they crawl most of the time, they can expel water from their rectal chamber to shoot forward in sudden bursts of speed to escape predators or attack prey.

Recommended Fly Patterns

Pat's Rubber Legs

#6-#12

Black, Brown, Coffee, Coffee/Black, Dark Olive/Black, Olive/Brown, Yellow/Brown

Twenty Incher

#6-#12

Brown, Black

Kaufmann's Stone

#4-#10

Golden, Brown, Black

Adult

Adults are large with four wings held perpendicular to the body. They are incredibly agile fliers. Trout typically catch them when they are laying eggs (dipping tail in water) or when they accidentally crash continuously.

Recommended Fly Patterns

Thunder Thighs Hopper

#6-#12

Black, Pink, Tan, Yellow

Charlie Boy Hopper

#8-#14

Tan, Yellow, Olive, Brown

Hippie Stomper

#10-#14

Black, Purple, Red, Olive, Tan

Madam X

#8-#14

Yellow, Olive, Tan, Brown

Fat Albert

#6-#12

Black, Purple, Tan, Yellow

Dave’s Hopper

#6-#12

Yellow, Tan, Olive, Brown

Morrish Hopper

#6-#12

Tan/Brown, Tan/Yellow, Olive

Parachute Ant

#14-#20

Black, Cinnamon, Brown

Chubby Chernobyl

#6-#14

Tan, Gold, Olive, Purple, Black, Yellow

Schroeder’s Parachute Hopper

#10-#14

Olive, Tan, Brown, White Post

Sofa Pillow

#4-#10

Orange/Brown

Salmonfly Adult

#4-#10

Black, Brown, Orange

Amy's Ant

#10-#14

Tan, Olive, Red

Foam Beetle

#12-#18

Black, Olive

Chernobyl Ant

#8-#16

Black, Brown, Tan, Orange Indicator

Habitat

Stillwaters (lakes, ponds) are the primary domain, though some species inhabit slow river backwaters. Nymphs live in the muck and weeds on the bottom. They are voracious predators themselves, eating other aquatic insects and even small minnows.

Behavior

Dragonfly nymphs live on the bottom for 1-3 years before hatching. Like damselflies, they migrate to shore to emerge, usually crawling up cattails or docks. Trout patrol the shallows looking for these migrating nymphs. The aerial adults are hunted by jumping trout—a spectacular sight—usually on hot summer afternoons.

Fishing Information

Seasonality Summer (June-August).

Tactics

The Dart: When fishing a nymph, use short, fast strips to mimic the "jet propulsion" movement.
Bottom Bouncing: Crawl a weighted nymph slowly along the bottom near weed beds.
Dry Fly: Fishing a large foam dragonfly is exhilarating. Cast it near lily pads or cover and give it an occasional twitch. The strikes are violent.
Poppers: Bass anglers know this well, but large trout will also smash a popper that simulates a struggling dragonfly.

Recommended Patterns