Fly Tying Inventory
Easy Mini Damsel
Easy Mini Damsel is Cheech's version of the twisted marabou damsel, a style with a long stillwater history. It stands apart for its fine barred marabou and for a stretch rib that makes the soft body more durable. Cheech fishes it in early to mid summer where there are lots of weed beds, on a midge tip, hover or intermediate line. Vary the size, weight and color as you like. The tail and body are both olive marabou behind a chartreuse bead. Tied here on a size 10 hook.
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Materials
Fulling Mill 35105 Competition Heavyweight Hook Barbless, size 10
10
Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread 12/0, fl. yellow (or UTC Ultrathread 70 denier, fl. yellow)
Fl. Yellow · 12/0
Firehole Stones Neon Matte Tungsten Beads, chartreuse, 3.0mm (1/8 inch)
Chartreuse · 3.0mm
How to Tie the Easy Mini Damsel
- 1
Step 1
Slide the chartreuse bead onto the hook and mount the hook in the vise.
- 2
Step 2
Start the thread behind the bead and trim the tag.
- 3
Step 3
Tie in the olive stretch rib behind the bead and bind it down along the shank as you wrap back to the bend. Leave the rib trailing off the back of the hook.
- 4
Step 4
Prepare a plume of olive barred marabou and tie it in at the bend with the tips extending past the hook for the tail.
- 5
Step 5
Bring the thread forward to just behind the bead.
- 6
Step 6
Twist the remaining marabou into a rope and wrap it forward to the bead to form the body.
- 7
Step 7
Tie off the marabou behind the bead and trim the excess.
- 8
Step 8
Wrap the stretch rib forward through the marabou in open turns to reinforce the body. Tie it off behind the bead and trim it.
The rib is there for durability, so wrap it right over the soft marabou fibers.
- 9
Step 9
Whip finish behind the bead and trim the thread.
- 10
Step 10
Brush the body lightly to free any marabou fibers trapped under the rib.
Watch Tying Tutorial
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16H8ddLb94I
Credit: Cheech / Fly Fish Food