A Change Of Plan ...

Morning,

If you've been a member of our email community for any length of time, you will be aware that there is a fair amount of planning which goes into our emails - we usually plan them around 3 months in advance.

So ...

It was a little bit unexpected, but in the last 2 weeks i had numerous emails and phone calls from customers extolling the virtues (and re-ordering) of one particular pattern which we sold back at the beginning of December. It seems to be working wonders right now, in the colder conditions.

The original email I had planned for today (all about a new Grayling pattern which I used to great effect over the Christmas break - the Pixie Nymph) has been postponed until next week - as I wanted to get this info out to you, knowing that they will bring you success.

We all know that fishing through January & February can be very challenging, especially when on a Stillwater. So why not tip the balance in your favour for once, with the Barbless Slimline Damsel.

As I'm not what you'd call a Stillwater aficionado, When we first received these patterns I sent a few to a friend to try out. As you can probably guess, they worked a treat - especially when fished close to the lake bed or in and around weeds and obstructions.

Please Note: See the very end of this email for some great tips I was sent on how to get the best from this style of pattern over the next few months.

So here it is The Slimline Damsel Nymph Selection:

Our selection of Slimline Damsel Nymphs contains 16 nymphs in total - 4 colour variations (Black/Black, Olive/Olive, Red/Black & White/Chartreuse), two of each in size 10 & 14.

All of these patterns are tied on specialist long-shank size 10 and 14 barbless hooks.

The Marabou on these flies pulse when any action is imparted to the leader, this can then trigger takes at any point. This style of feather acts very lifelike when wet.

These flies are great throughout the colder weather, especially on Stillwaters. Don't forget about the rivers though (when in season) - I tested some pre-production patterns on my local river back in September and they were deadly when fished as a streamer pattern, across a riffle.

Our Slimline Damsel Nymph Selection contains 16 flies and is priced at only £24.00, it contains 2 each of the following:

• Black Tail, Black Body - Size 10
• Black Tail, Black Body - Size 14
• Olive Tail, Olive Body - Size 10
• Olive Tail, Olive Body - Size 14
• Red Tail, Black Body - Size 10
• Red Tail, Black Body - Size 14
• White Tail, Olive Body - Size 10
• White Tail, Olive Body - Size 14

Please Note: We only have a few of these Selections remaining (15 to be precise), I would expect they will sell out pretty quickly now the secret is out, so grab yours ASAP.

As we always try to cater for every budget, I have again set aside some of these Slimline Damsel Nymphs to be bought individually - for only £1.75 each.

To order these as individual nymphs, just click on the button below:

As we've only got 40 of these Slimline Damsel Nymph Selections available (i've squirrelled away a few sets for myself for when the rivers open up again - yes, they are that good), you will need to be quick off the mark to secure yours.

Keep reading for more info and detailed images of these slimline damsel nymphs - you'll be glad you did as there's some great info on how to fish this style of nymph pattern (and others like it) at the very end.

Go on, treat yourself - you know you want to - at £24 for the selection, these will not hang around for long!

Damsel nymphs are an excellent choice for fly fishing in colder months, as they imitate a prevalent food source that remains active even in chilly conditions.

Success depends on a well-thought-out setup and precise technique.

The Setup

Use a 9-foot, 5-weight fly rod paired with a floating line or an intermediate sinking line. The choice of line depends on the water depth; floating lines are suitable for shallow water, while sinking lines are better for deeper lakes or rivers. A reel with a smooth drag system is essential, as winter fish are often strong and spirited.

Leader Configuration

For this technique, use a tapered leader of 9-12 feet, with a 4X or 5X tippet to balance delicacy and strength. If fishing deeper waters, extend the leader by adding tippet material. Fluorocarbon tippets are ideal due to their low visibility and sink rate.

If you would like to tie your own leader, give this recipe a go:

Technique

Damsel nymphs are best fished slowly in colder months, as trout metabolism decreases with lower temperatures. Cast near drop-offs, submerged vegetation, or other structure where damsel nymphs naturally reside. Allow the fly to sink to the desired depth before beginning the retrieve.

For the retrieve, use slow, steady hand-twists or short, gentle strips to mimic the subtle movement of a swimming nymph. Pause occasionally to let the fly rest, as this mimics a natural behaviour that triggers strikes.

Keep your rod tip low to the water to reduce slack, ensuring you can detect subtle takes. Trout in colder months often strike softly, so keeping in-touch with your fly is critical.

Final Tips

Experiment with damsel nymph colours like olive, black, or white to match the local conditions. Pay attention to water temperature and light levels, as trout tend to hold deeper during colder, overcast days. With patience and precise technique, winter fly fishing with a damsel nymph can be highly rewarding.

Tight lines & have fun - the Pixie Nymph email will be with you on Tuesday.