Jim,

I have found that it made it a whole lot easier for me to scout the shorelines of the local canals, ponds, and lakes (rivers and creeks I fish more topwater) for local insect fare. Damselfly and Dragonfly nymphs I use imitate the local naturals. I use a Marabou Damsel Nymph in all black (with a silver wire rib and xsmall gray beadchain eyes)
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on a size 10 (an aberdeen or dial-a-hook) medium shank hook and a brown/tan (I use tan) Dragonfly nymph on a size 8 (medium shank). I tend to use the Damsel nymph more and get real good results (on those waters where the natural is present). I fish it straight line usually and creep it real slow along the bottom. The fish will bite it when it hits the water, on the drop, and on the retrieve. I don't have as good of success with the naturals where there are few or no naturals like faster waters of some rivers and creeks so I have better luck on the surface for rivers and creeks.

Typically I don't use many flies below a size 12 because I don't need to when larger sizes will do the job. If the fish become too educated, I may have to go with some smaller sizes. I don't use scuds as much as I probably should but the ones I do use are a size 10 or 12 in cream, white, tan, or pearl type transluscent. I don't use midges, at least I haven't had to yet.


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Robert B. McCorquodale
Sebring, FL

"Flip a fly"

[This message has been edited by dixieangler (edited 06 October 2005).]