NymphLlama Dragonfly Nymph
The Llama Dragonfly Nymph is a nymph pattern designed by Lance Filimek. This effective pattern combines traditional materials with proven techniques for consistent results in a variety of water conditions.
Spring, Summer, Fall
Intermediate
Trout
Feb 2026
Overview
Lance Filimek's pattern utilizes llama fiber for its unique texture and movement properties. The material choice creates lifelike undulation in the pattern's legs and gills, mimicking the natural dragonfly nymph's appearance. The robust body construction and proper weighting allow effective fishing along weed beds and structure where these large nymphs hunt. Particularly effective in stillwaters during pre-emergence periods.
Materials
Hook: Any curved longshank hook. Size 4-10
Thread: colour to suit 6/0
Abdomen: Marabou in dubbing loop, wound forwards and pinched to shape
Thorax cover: peacock herl, pheasant tail, swiss straw etc, whatever you have
Thorax: same as abdomen in contrasting colour
Eyes: Mono eyes in black, size to suit hook
Behavior & Presentation
Natural Behavior: Dragonfly nymphs crawl deliberately along bottom structure, then suddenly jet-propel themselves through the water using rectal respiration when hunting or escaping. These erratic bursts make them highly visible despite their normally cryptic behavior.
Where Trout Eat It: Near bottom structure where nymphs prowl, and mid-column when they dart erratically to escape predators.
How to Fish It: Slow retrieves with sudden strips to imitate jet-propulsion bursts, or dead drift along the bottom with occasional twitches.
Best Water: Focus on weed edges where nymphs hunt, rocky structure and drop-offs where they ambush prey, and shoals with vegetation that provides cover.
Strike Type: Aggressive strikes as fish react to sudden movement, often hitting during the burst phase of the retrieve.
Fishing Strategy
Rigging Suggestions: Use a 9-10 foot leader with 4X-5X tippet. Add split shot 8-12 inches above the fly and a strike indicator.
Seasonal Timing: Most effective during peak feeding periods at dawn and dusk. Water temperatures between 45-65°F typically produce best results.
Pro Tips: Fish this pattern early in the season before dragonfly emergence to capitalize on pre-hatch activity when nymphs migrate toward emergent vegetation.
Entomology
Dragonfly nymphs prowl along the bottom structure using slow, deliberate crawling movements before suddenly jet-propelling themselves through the water using rectal respiration when threatened or hunting. Fish prey on these large nymphs opportunistically because they represent substantial meals, and their sporadic bursts of movement make them highly visible to predators despite their normally cryptic bottom-dwelling behavior.
- Order
- Odonata
- Family
- Aeshnidae
- Common Name
- Dragonfly
- Organism Type
- insect
- Life Stage
- nymph