Calopteryx splendens - Banded Demoiselle

The banded demoiselle is a river insect, and in the summer sun there can be few more splendid sights - hence the scientific name. The adult on the left of the picture is the female, while her mate is easily identified by the distinctive smoky patches on the wings.

In most fast-flowing rivers there is limited opportunity to fish a damselnymph imitation, as the natural insects are slow moving creatures. Places where a damsel nymph can be effective include the River Monnow, in Wales, and the River Boyne, in Ireland each of which on some stretches flow quite slowly between reed-fringed banks.

There are about forty species of dragonflies and damselflies in the British Isles, although some are now quite rare and hardly ever seen.

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