NymphSmitherman's Draggin' Nymph
Smitherman's Draggin' Nymph is a realistic dragonfly nymph imitation designed to trigger aggressive strikes from trout and bass. This pattern features bead chain eyes that give it a jigging action and help it ride hook-point-up, a body of Senyo's Laser Dub that creates translucent bulk, a thorax blend of SLF dubbing with peacock emergence dubbing for flash and texture, an olive grizzly hen collar that pulses with movement, and rubber legs that extend beyond the body to suggest the sprawling legs of natural dragonfly nymphs.
Spring, Summer, Fall
Intermediate
Trout, Bass
Overview
This Charlie Craven pattern from Charlie's Fly Box represents a modern approach to dragonfly nymph imitation that emphasizes movement and lifelike action. The bead chain eyes serve dual purposes - they provide weight to get the fly down and cause it to ride inverted, reducing snags on weedy bottoms where dragonfly nymphs live. Senyo's Laser Dub creates a body with both translucency and subtle flash that mimics the semi-transparent abdomen of natural nymphs. The thorax blend incorporating peacock emergence dubbing adds the iridescent quality seen in many aquatic insects. The olive grizzly hen collar provides subtle barred motion while the motor oil rubber legs extend outward to suggest the distinctive splayed legs of dragonfly nymphs. The hook choice (Hanak 450BL) features a jig-style bend that works with the bead chain eyes to ensure proper orientation.
Pattern Characteristics
Materials
Hook: Hanak 450BL, #10-14
Thread: Veevus 8/0, light olive
Eyes: Bead Chain Eyes (medium), black
Body: Senyo's Laser Dub, light olive
Thorax: SLF Dubbing (Whitlock's) or Caddis Green Hareline Dubbing, peacock emergence dubbing blend
Collar: Hen Saddle, olive grizzly
Legs: Perfect Rubber Legs, motor oil
Fishing Tips
Season
Most effective from spring through fall when dragonfly and damselfly nymphs are active. Peak productivity occurs in warmer months when these large predatory nymphs are most abundant.
Presentation
Fish with a slow, erratic retrieve that mimics the jet-propelled movement of natural dragonfly nymphs. Use a strip-pause-strip cadence, allowing the fly to sink during pauses while the materials pulse and breathe.
When to Use
Select this pattern when fishing weedy stillwaters, slow-moving streams, and areas with submerged vegetation where dragonfly nymphs are abundant. Particularly effective when targeting cruising trout in lakes and ponds.
Water Type
Versatile pattern for both stillwater and moving water, but excels in lakes, ponds, and slow river sections with weedy bottoms. The inverted hook design helps it navigate structure without snagging.
Rigging Suggestions
Fish on a 9-12 foot leader tapering to 3X-4X fluorocarbon tippet. Use a floating line with long leader for shallow water, or intermediate/sinking line for deeper presentations. Count down to reach different depths.
Visibility & Floatation
This is a sinking pattern designed to probe weedy structure near the bottom. The light olive coloration matches most dragonfly nymph populations while providing visibility in various water conditions.
