Dragonflies are large insects found, most often, near bodies of freshwater. They form an important part of most aquatic ecosystems and have an underwater (juvenile) form, transforming into a terrestrial (adult) form. Dragonflies come in a wide range of beautiful colours and body shapes, and while the adults may look similar to damselflies, they can be identified by their wing shape and their eyes. Dragonflies at rest will typically have their wings resting at 90° to their body, while damselflies wings rest parallel to their back. Adult dragonflies eyes are large and generally forward facing with both eyes often touching, whereas damselflies eyes are typically widely seperated and facing out from the side of their head.
Dragonflies, as aquatic juveniles and terrestrial adults, are voracious predators. Juveniles (nymphs) will eat smaller aquatic insects, tadpoles and small fish. Adults usually prey on flying insects.
Female dragonflies are usually dull colured, compared to males, and lay their eggs in water, where they hatch into small nymphs, growing quickly as they feed. At this stage, they are an important food source for the fish species we love to target.
Trout, in particular, LOVE these large, meaty insects, and most fly fishers will have a few dragonfly nymph patterns tucked away in their fly box for this reason. Trout will also target airborne adult dragonflies with spectacular leaps, though these are far more difficult to imitate and present properly with an artificial fly, so most of us stick to imitating the nymphal stage.
Next time you're down by your local creek or pond, look for dragonflies flying around, or maybe the nymphal skins, or 'shucks' attached to reeds and sticks by the waters edge - it might just give you a clue for your next fly choice when you're fishing there next time.
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