There are 36 dragonflies (Anisoptera) and 21 damselflies (Zygoptera) in the UK. They both tend to have long thin bodies, a pair of wings and while many are brightly coloured they are not all. Damselflies tend to be more delicate, have eyes that don’t touch, fold their wings along their back when at rest and have a weaker more fluttering flight. They both have similar life stages of egg, nymph and adult. The nymph and adult stage being the most important for the fly fisherman. The nymphs gather in the margins before emerging onto bankside vegetation to undergo incomplete metamorphosis. Having mated, the adults will lay their eggs by dipping their abdomen into the water. They are vulnerable to depredation during these stages.
Mating damselflies (Enallagma cyathigerum) 
Dragonfly nymph (Credit) 
Southern Hawker (Aeshna cyanea) 
Dragon and damselfly flight periods (after NBN 2020)
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Open in new tab Flies representing the damsel/dragonfly nymph can be a very productive pattern. While I have carried a damselfly adult dry fly for years and employed this on numerous occasion when they are on the wing, I have yet to have success with this fly. The nymphs on the other hand can be deadly.
- Blue flash (10)
- Hot head (10)
- Booby (10)
- Dry (10)
If you prefer to tie and not buy then the following are good patterns:
Tight Lines
