Fly Fishing with Bass Nymphs Part 2: Fishing the Damsel Olive Nymph for Smallmouth Bass

Continuing our Fly Fishing with Bass Nymphs series, this installment focuses on one of the most overlooked yet productive flies for smallmouth bass fly fishing—the Damsel Olive Nymph. During the summer months, damselfly nymphs become an important food source in rivers and lakes, making this pattern exceptionally effective when bass are feeding around aquatic vegetation.

Damsel Olive Nymph

Few bass nymph patterns are as versatile as a well-tied Damselfly Nymph, and the Damsel Olive Nymph deserves a permanent place in every fly box. Designed to accurately imitate the natural olive-colored damselfly nymph, this fly consistently produces strikes from smallmouth bass, trout, and carp.

On the Shenandoah River, the Damsel Olive Nymph is especially productive from July through September, when damselfly nymphs are abundant around grass beds and shoreline vegetation. Fish it slowly along weed edges, submerged grass beds, and brush piles where smallmouth bass actively hunt for aquatic insects.

For even greater success, fish the Damsel Olive Nymph as a dropper beneath Murray’s Chugger (Frog) or the Shenandoah Blue Popper #4. The surface fly attracts attention while the nymph often convinces bass that refuse to commit to the popper.

How to Fish the Damsel Olive Nymph

• Retrieve it slowly through grass beds, weed edges, and brush piles using short, darting strips to imitate the swimming action of a natural damselfly nymph.
• Fish it as the point fly in a Euro nymphing rig for precise presentations in moving water and deeper runs.
• Suspend it beneath a strike indicator or popping bug using standard nymphing techniques, allowing it to dead-drift naturally with occasional subtle twitches.

Why the Damsel Olive Nymph Works

Unlike many aquatic insects that hatch during a short window, damselfly nymphs are available to fish throughout much of the year. Their natural olive coloration, slender profile, and active swimming behavior make them a dependable food source for predatory fish in both rivers and stillwaters.

Whether you’re targeting summer smallmouth bass on the Shenandoah River, trout in freestone streams, or carp cruising shallow flats, the Damsel Olive Nymph continues to produce fish season after season.

Target Species: Smallmouth Bass • Trout • Carp

In the video below, Murray’s Fly Shop founder and fly fishing guide Harry Murray demonstrates his proven techniques for fishing the Damsel Olive Nymph. Although this video was recorded several years ago, the presentations, retrieves, and strategies remain just as effective today and continue to help anglers catch more fish throughout the season.

New to this series? Read and watch Part 1: Fly Fishing with Bass Nymphs on the Shenandoah River to learn why the Rubber Leg Nymph is one of our favorite flies for summer smallmouth bass.

Recommended Bass Nymph Fishing Gear

Damsel Olive Nymph

An outstanding imitation of the natural damselfly nymph that is deadly on smallmouth bass, trout, and carp. Fish it around grass beds and brush piles with a slow, darting retrieve or as the bottom fly in a Euro nymphing rig.

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Rubber Leg Nymph

One of our guides’ favorite bass nymphs when rivers are low and clear. The realistic rubber legs create irresistible movement that consistently triggers strikes from summer smallmouth bass.

Shop Rubber Leg Nymph ?

Murray’s Bright Butt Leader

Our signature hand-tied leader improves strike detection and turns over bass nymphs with ease. A proven choice for fishing the Shenandoah River and other smallmouth bass waters.

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